US Expands H-1B, H-4 Visa Online Vetting Globally; Expect Delays

• The United States has expanded online and social media screening for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants worldwide.
• New vetting includes reviewing public social media accounts, comments, and photos as part of the visa decision process.
• Officials state the expanded screening aims to strengthen background checks and ensure national security.
• The US Embassy in India issued a "Worldwide Alert" advising prospective applicants to prepare for longer processing times.
• Applicants, especially from high-demand countries like India, should expect extended wait times and plan applications early.

Why It Matters: Global H-1B/H-4 visa applicants face expanded online vetting, leading to significant processing delays.