Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants
Effective December 15th, all applications for those seeking the H-1B and H-4 visa will have their online presence screened as part of the application process per the Department of State announcement on December 3rd. Applicants will need to modify their privacy settings on all social media platforms to make them public. This will be required for those that are seeking the visa for the first time or renewing the visa.
For those that have future international travel plans, be sure to contact your advisor in the Office of International Services at the Health Science Center campus. You will want to provide your destination and the duration of your trip. While our office is not encouraging international travel at this time, this is ultimately a decision that you and any applicable dependents would need to make. Your OIS advisor will review your immigration records prior to your travel. Once you and any applicable dependents return to the U.S., it is your responsibility to upload the latest I-94 arrival record and visa stamp/foil (if applicable) copies to your record housed in the Scholar International Portal.
As always, do not hesitate to contact OIS.
Resources:
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- Department of State: Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants
- Foster, LLP: Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Applicants
- Fragomen, LLP: Starting December 15, State Department Will Expand Online Presence Review to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants
- Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP: DOS Expands Social Media Vetting to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants