According to the US Department of State, the new rules will take effect from March 30. (AI generated image)The United States will expand its screening process for visa applicants, including those applying for H-1B visas, by requiring a broader review of their online presence and mandating public access to social media profiles, the State Department said in an official announcement.According to the US Department of State, the new rules will take effect from March 30. The expanded review will cover a wide range of non-immigrant visa categories, including domestic workers of diplomats and international officials (A-3, C-3, G-5), trainees and their dependents (H-3, H-4), and family-based visas such as fiancé(e) and spouse categories (K visas).The policy also extends to cultural and religious visas (Q, R), as well as special categories such as informants and victims of crime or trafficking (S, T, U). These additions expand existing screening measures that already apply to H-1B workers and student and exchange visa holders under the F, M and J categories.Applicants asked to make social media profiles publicThe United States has urged all visa applicants to make their social media activity publicly accessible as part of the new screening requirements.Also Read: Student Visas And Immigration 2026: Why the US, UK, Canada, Australia are cutting permits and raising fees this year“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, U, H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’ or ‘open'”, the US Department of State said.Visa decisions linked to national securityAccording to the SD, the move is aimed at strengthening security checks, adding that the department uses “all available information” to identify applicants who may be inadmissible or pose risks to national security or public safety.Story continues below this ad“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the State Department said, stressing the need for vigilance in ensuring applicants do not intend to harm US interests.The expanded screening builds on exisFting checks already applied to categories such as H-1B workers and student visas, and comes amid a broader tightening of immigration oversight.The statement also reiterated that a US visa “is a privilege, not a right,” and applicants must clearly demonstrate their eligibility and intent to comply with visa conditions.