New Policy Delays Visas
The United States has launched social media vetting for visa applicants, a move that is creating confusion for Indian H-1B visa applicants. Several appointments are being postponed to next year owing to this policy. An advisory has been issued to tackle the delays by the US Embassy in India.
Rescheduling Appointments
Applicants who were mailed regarding the rescheduling of their appointments have been requesting to cooperate in finding a new date. Besides that, applicants have also been instructed not to go to the Consulate on the earlier date specified even though they have been informed about this change. The new dates are not known yet. International media, however, report that interviews scheduled for December could now take place in March next year.
Increase in Visa Cancellations
The postponements come on the heels of an unprecedented increase in visa cancellations reported by the US Department of State. An estimated 85,000 visas have been canceled so far this year, said the department on its X platform. Officials reiterated that the steps are targeted at safeguarding the lives of US citizens. The 8,000 among them were students.
Focus on Violations of the Law
These cancellations are mostly aimed at individuals who have a history of violating the law related to theft, violence, and drunk driving. This policy has been enforced as part of a broader effort to toughen immigration rules on non-immigrant visas during the second term of President Donald Trump.
Social Media Vetting and Screening
Social media vetting involves having a check of all the online accounts of the visa applicant before their approval. This also includes their LinkedIn profiles, resumes, and other social media activities. The recent directions by the US government intended to have diplomats carefully scrutinize these profiles. As a result, H-1B visa appointments were postponed until vetting and screening are completed.
H-1B Visa Fees and Enforcement
In addition to vetting, the fee for the H-1B visa was raised to $100,000 within the last few months. The visa policy now includes stronger enforcement, focusing on those who violate local laws.
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