The United States has issued a global alert for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, announcing expanded online and social media reviews as part of its standard visa screening process. The enhanced vetting applies to all applicants of all nationalities seeking these visa categories, according to the U.S. Embassy in India.

In a brief statement, the embassy advised applicants to submit their visa applications as early as possible and be prepared for longer processing times. The announcement comes as thousands of H-1B visa interviews scheduled later this month in India have reportedly been postponed by several months without prior notice.

Sharing the update on X, the U.S. Embassy said that beginning December 15, the Department of State expanded online presence reviews to cover all H-1B and H-4 applicants worldwide. The embassy emphasized that this screening is being conducted globally and applies uniformly across nationalities.

The advisory follows growing concerns among applicants, many of whom are facing significant delays and uncertainty. Addressing these concerns, the embassy stated that the expanded vetting is intended to curb misuse of the H-1B program while still allowing U.S. companies to recruit highly skilled temporary foreign workers.

Despite the delays, U.S. embassies and consulates continue to accept and process H-1B and H-4 nonimmigrant visa applications. Officials reiterated their recommendation that applicants apply early and factor in potential additional processing time when planning their travel and employment timelines.