Indians form 70–72% of H-1B holders

American dream gets difficult

1. Higher H-1B fees (2025)
2. Employers more selective
3. Annual cap: 85,000
4. (65,000 regular + 20,000 master’s quota)

Social Media scrutinised Platforms Reviewed

1. LinkedIn
2. Facebook
3. Instagram
4. X (Twitter)
5. TikTok, YouTube

Key Requirement

1. Profiles must be public
2. Resume & LinkedIn must match
3. Past posts/comments under watch

Indian nationals account for over 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders globally, making them the single largest group dependent on the United States’ specialty occupation visa programme. However, recent tightening of visa vetting procedures by the US has created widespread uncertainty among Indian professionals, students, and their families, particularly within the technology and overseas education sectors.

The situation has become more complex with the introduction of expanded background checks, including the new “online presence review” policy. Under this rule, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants are required to make their social media profiles public for official scrutiny. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube are being reviewed, and applicants are being advised to ensure consistency between resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Even past posts, comments, or online affiliations may now trigger enhanced scrutiny, leading many applicants to receive 221(g) notices indicating additional administrative processing rather than outright rejection.

These checks have resulted in delayed visa interviews, rescheduled travel plans, and uncertainty around job start dates or re-entry into the US, particularly for applicants planning visa stamping appointments in late 2025.

Srinivasa Rao Bongarala, Co-founder and Managing Director of IVY Overseas Consultancy, said the impact on Indian applicants is significant. “The visa environment has become extremely difficult to predict. Even students from top universities are facing uncertainty, and consultants cannot confidently assess outcomes anymore,” he said.

The annual H-1B cap remains at 85,000 visas, including 65,000 under the general category and 20,000 for applicants with US master’s degrees or higher. Indians continue to dominate approvals, accounting for an estimated 70–72 per cent.

However, expanded vetting and sharply higher H-1B-related fees introduced in 2025 have raised sponsorship costs for employers, making them more selective. The combined effect has increased stress levels among students and early-career professionals, prompting many to reconsider long-term plans in the US or explore alternative destinations. Consultancies note that adjudication outcomes have become less predictable, even for candidates with strong academic credentials, adding to anxiety and uncertainty across the applicant community.