US Issues Worldwide Alert for H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants, to Expand ‘Online Presence Reviews’

On Monday, the US reported that the Department of State had increased online presence reviews to every applicant of H-1B and H-4 as part of regular visa screening.

“This vetting is being conducted globally for ALL applicants of ALL nationalities for H1-B and H-4 visas. It is an effort to address abuse of the H-1B program while still permitting companies to hire the best of the best temporary foreign workers," it said in a worldwide alert on Monday.

Also Read: Karnataka Man’s ‘Keep Distance, EMI Pending’ Car Sticker on Maruti Alto Leaves Internet Amused: ‘Best Slogan Ever’

“We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and anticipate additional processing time for these visa classifications,” it said. It also stated that the US embassies and consulates will remain open to receive and process applications of H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visas.

This action is during the times when the Trump administration is scrutinizing non-immigrant visa holders, particularly the H-1B workers, closely.

The changes that the Trump administration has made have had a great impact on visa categories, including H-1B, F-1 and J-1. Many visa holders are left with no option but to be left in their home countries after visiting to renew their documentations because of US consulates taking long to schedule interviews to allow full background checks.

Also Read: Boeing Plans to Raise Monthly 737 Aircraft Production to 47

Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa workers who went back to the country to renew their work permits this December are stuck in India when US consular offices cancelled their appointments suddenly giving them new ones only months later.

According to HT, the delayed appointments came as a result of the new policy of the visa-vetting of the US, in which the agencies have to check on the social media history of an applicant. US authorities have indicated that the new online presence reviews have been implemented to filter candidates who might be a threat to national security of the United States.

The intense inspection of immigration issues under the Trump administration has burdened and put a dark cloud on the H-1B programme, which was once a foundation of the US immigration policy that gave individuals with high-skill levels an opportunity to work and reside in the country. More than 70% of H-1B visas are of Indians. Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump and a group of his supporters have struck back against the programme in what is a more comprehensive anti-immigrant policy-changing.

Also Read: Supreme Court Declines Immediate Hearing on Ajmer Chadar Plea