Thailand And India Joins China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, And More In Facing Tough New Challenge In Asia As US Tightens Online Presence Screening For Travelers: New Updates You Need To Know

Published on December 5, 2025

Thailand and India joins China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and more in facing a tough new challenge in Asia as the US government intensifies its crackdown on travelers with an expanded online presence screening for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Starting December 15, 2025, applicants from these countries will undergo heightened scrutiny of their publicly available social media content, including posts, photos, and comments, as part of the visa application process. This policy is designed to bolster national security and ensure that individuals entering the US do not pose a threat to public safety, marking a significant shift in how visa eligibility is evaluated.

The US Department of State(DOS) has announced a significant expansion of its visa application procedures, implementing a new and stringent online presence review for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, set to take effect on December 15, 2025. This crackdown will also affect applicants from countries across Asia, including Thailand and India, along with others like China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The move intensifies the scrutiny of social media profiles, public posts, comments, photos, and other publicly available online content during the visa application process, making it crucial for travelers from these nations to be aware of the upcoming challenges.

US Visa Online Presence Review – The New Normal

Starting from December 15, 2025, all H-1B visa applicants, including their H-4 dependents, will be required to have their online presence thoroughly reviewed as part of the consular visa application process. This policy, which has already been implemented for F, M, and J visa applicants, is now being expanded to include the popular H-1B visa category. Under this rule, consular officers may examine an applicant’s publicly available social media profiles, posts, photos, comments, and any other online information that is accessible to the public.

To streamline this review, the DOS has instructed all H-1B and H-4 applicants to set their social media profiles to “public” prior to submitting their visa applications. The purpose behind this extensive scrutiny is to enhance national security by ensuring that applicants do not pose a threat to the public safety or security of the US. The DOS has emphasized that this review process will enable them to use all available information to identify potential risks, including concerns about affiliations, statements, or behaviors that could pose a security threat.

What H-1B and H-4 Applicants Should Expect

With the implementation of this new rule, H-1B and H-4 applicants from countries across Asia, including Thailand and India, should expect increased scrutiny during their visa application process. Here’s what applicants can anticipate:

Increased Scrutiny

• Consular officers will review applicants’ online history, social media activities, and other publicly accessible content to assess visa eligibility. This includes examining past statements, online affiliations, and public posts.

Potential Delays or Additional Vetting

• Any online content that is deemed concerning by the Department of State may lead to additional security screenings or follow-up requests, which could extend the processing times for the visa application. As a result, applicants may face delays in obtaining their visa approvals, potentially affecting their travel plans and return-to-work dates.

Impact on Processing Timelines

• Even if an applicant’s social media presence is not flagged as problematic, the overall consular processing timeline may still be affected. The introduction of online presence reviews will likely slow down the overall visa processing time, leading to delays in many applications, particularly during peak visa processing periods.

What This Means for Employers

For employers sponsoring H-1B visa holders, this policy shift underscores the importance of proactive communication and preparation. Employers must understand the impact this will have on their employees and the visa approval process. Below are steps employers should consider:

Inform Employees Early

• Employers must notify their H-1B and H-4 employees about the new online presence review requirements and the potential delays that could arise from them.

Prepare for Longer Timelines

• Employers should be prepared for the possibility of longer wait times for visa processing. Even if the applicant’s application is not flagged, the overall vetting process may still take more time due to the new scrutiny.

Provide Guidance on Online Presence

• Employers should provide employees with guidelines on managing their online presence, emphasizing professional conduct on social media platforms. This includes reminding employees to carefully review their social media profiles and remove any potentially problematic content before submitting their visa applications.

Plan Ahead for Travel

• If travel is necessary, employers should advise their employees to schedule their visa appointments well in advance, avoiding tight travel windows that could lead to issues if delays arise.

Asia’s Top Countries Affected by US Visa Screening

The new online presence review is set to impact numerous countries in Asia, with some nations seeing a greater volume of H-1B visa applicants than others. Below are the key Asian countries that will face the greatest challenges due to the US Department of State’s crackdown:

• India: 283,397 approvals (71% of total) – Dominant source of H-1B applicants, especially in IT and STEM fields.
• China: 46,680 approvals (11.7%) – A strong presence in technology, engineering, and academia.
• Philippines: 5,248 approvals (1.3%) – Primarily in healthcare, IT, and outsourcing.
• South Korea: 3,983 approvals (~1%) – Known for its contributions to the automotive, electronics, and research sectors.
• Taiwan: 3,099 approvals (<1%) – A key source for electronics and IT professionals.
• Pakistan: 3,052 approvals (<1%) – Representing a diverse range of STEM fields.
• Other notable countries: Nepal, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand – Smaller but consistent volumes in technology, student-to-work transitions, and business process roles.

Table: Top Asian Countries by H-1B Approvals (FY 2024)

Global Impact of US Crackdown on Travelers

The implications of the US’s expanded online presence screening are far-reaching. While the policy will affect applicants from all over the world, Asian countries, particularly India and China, will feel the greatest practical impact. Given the high volume of H-1B applications from these nations, applicants will face an unprecedented level of scrutiny, which could create logistical challenges for individuals seeking to travel to the US for work or study.

For applicants, the primary concern is ensuring that their social media accounts and other online content are free of any posts or affiliations that could raise red flags during the visa review process. As the online vetting process will look at a variety of social media platforms, applicants must be diligent about cleaning up their profiles and ensuring that everything is aligned with the professional standards expected by the US consulate.

Employers in the affected countries must also be prepared for potential delays in visa processing, which could disrupt workforce planning. Companies relying on skilled foreign workers, particularly in sectors such as IT, healthcare, and engineering, should actively communicate with their international employees about the importance of maintaining a clean and professional online presence.

What’s Next for Asian Travelers?

As the December 15 deadline approaches, travelers from Asia, especially those in India, China, South Korea, and other countries with high H-1B approval rates, should take steps to ensure their online presence is fully compliant with the US Department of State’s new rules. This includes:

• Reviewing social media profiles to ensure all content is professional and free from controversial posts.
• Adjusting privacy settings to ensure all social media accounts are set to public, as required by the DOS.
• Being aware of potential delays in the visa application process due to the expanded vetting procedures.
• Planning ahead for any travel that may be affected by these delays, particularly for workers who need to return to the US for their jobs.

Thailand and India join China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and more in facing a tough new challenge in Asia as the US government tightens its visa screening process. Starting December 15, 2025, applicants will be subject to increased scrutiny of their online presence, aimed at enhancing national security.

The US government’s expansion of its online presence review process for visa applicants will introduce significant challenges for travelers from Asia, particularly those applying for H-1B and H-4 visas. While this move aims to enhance national security, it brings increased scrutiny and the potential for delays that could impact travelers’ professional and personal plans. With countries like Thailand, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines facing these new hurdles, travelers and employers alike must prepare for the changes and take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of the new US visa application policies. By ensuring that social media profiles are in compliance with the US requirements, applicants can help ensure a smoother visa application process.