New US Social Media Vetting Triggers Delays for H-1B Applicants

As of December 15, 2025, a new US State Department directive requiring expanded social media screening has begun impacting H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This policy shift, part of a broader push to tighten security and entry standards, has led to a surge in administrative delays and visa pauses.

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The Rise of the 221(g) Slip

Instead of receiving an immediate “Approved” or “Denied” status, many applicants at consulates in India (specifically Chennai and Hyderabad) are being issued 221(g) slips.

• What it means: A 221(g) indicates the application is under “administrative processing.”
• The Cause: Officers are pausing applications to manually review digital footprints, which often includes seizing passports for the duration of the review.

Mandatory Public Profiles

Under the new guidelines, the State Department has instructed applicants to set all social media profiles to “public.” Reports from the field indicate that:

• Consular officers are explicitly asking applicants if their accounts are public during interviews.
• Applicants with private accounts are being handed 221(g) slips and told the consulate needs additional time to review their online presence.

New Interview Questions

Beyond standard employment and salary questions, visa officers are now focusing on:

1. Social Media Transparency: Confirmation that all handles have been disclosed and profiles are accessible.
2. News Consumption: Questions regarding where applicants get their news and their awareness of current events.
3. Consistency: Ensuring that online history aligns with the information provided in the visa petition.

Uncertainty and Inconsistency

The rollout has been marked by confusion and inconsistent timelines. While some applicants see an initial “REFUSED” status that later flips to “APPROVED,” others face indefinite waiting periods. The State Department has not yet provided an official estimate for how long this additional vetting will take, causing significant anxiety for workers facing job disruptions.