Stricter H-1B Visa Rules Under Trump Administration
US President Donald Trump had been instituting stricter rules for the issuance of H-1B visas since he took office. The Trump administration recently increased visa fees to $100,000 and implemented more stringent vetting procedures. The US State Department ordered diplomats to check the LinkedIn profiles and resumes of applicants. A memo from the State Department said applicants who have worked in roles that suppress freedom of speech may be denied visas.
New Vetting Orders for Embassies
On December 2, vetting instructions were sent to all US embassies by the State Department. The guidance includes the need to review the résumés and LinkedIn profiles of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Officials are supposed to see whether applicants have worked in areas related to disinformation, content control, fact-checking, or online safety. The review will begin on December 15. Students and exchange visitors are no exception. Applicants will be expected to make their social media accounts public for the review process.
National Security and Visa Screening
US officials have underscored that visas are a privilege and not a right. The available information would be utilized for identifying applicants who may pose a national security risk. The decision is officially framed as a national security measure. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire skilled workers. The majority of H-1B visa holders in the US are from India and China.
Social Media Vetting
Visa candidates' online activities will be scrutinized by officials in deciding whether a visa should be issued. This is known as social media vetting. Only after scrutinizing social media profiles will a visa be issued. The rise of the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 received global attention. The White House explained later that this $100,000 charge is a one-time fee paid at the time of application. Foreign students studying in the US and applying for H-1B visas for employment are exempted from paying this fee.
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