It may be noted that the Trump Administration had earlier this year announced increased online vetting after pro-Palestinian protests rocked American universities.
New Delhi: Announcing re-scheduling of H1B and H-4 visa interviews in India, the United States Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday evening declared that from December 15, it is expanding vetting of online presence "to all specialty occupation temporary worker (H-1B) visa applicants and their dependents in the H-4 visa classification". The US mission said it will take the "time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States". It added that visa interviews are re-scheduled as per "resource availability".
It may be noted that the Trump Administration had earlier this year announced increased online vetting after pro-Palestinian protests rocked American universities. The US Government had taken action against foreign students who had participated in these protests and had vowed increased scrutiny of visa applicants.
In a statement, the US Embassy said, “The Department of State conducts thorough vetting of all visa applicants, including an online presence review of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. Beginning December 15, we are expanding the online presence review to all specialty occupation temporary worker (H-1B) visa applicants and their dependents in the H-4 visa classification."
The US mission further said, "In every visa case, we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms."
