Thailand Joins Japan, India, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, And More Countries In Asia In Facing Unprecedented Scrutiny As US Expands Digital Identity Audits For Visa Applicants: New Updates You Can’t Ignore

Published on December 17, 2025

Thailand joins Japan, India, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and more countries in Asia in facing unprecedented scrutiny as the U.S. expands digital identity audits for visa applicants. This new development, effective as of December 15, 2025, requires applicants from these nations, particularly those seeking H-1B and H-4 visas, to have their social media profiles publicly accessible for review by U.S. consular officers. The expanded digital presence review is part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to enhance national security and ensure thorough vetting of applicants before granting entry.

In recent months, the US government has made significant changes to its visa vetting process, particularly for those applying for H-1B and H-4 visas. As of December 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has expanded its online presence review to include all applicants for these visa categories. This means that visa applicants from affected countries now face heightened scrutiny of their social media presence as part of the visa application process.

These new measures are already in effect, and applicants for U.S. visas are now required to make their social media profiles publicly accessible to be reviewed by U.S. consular officers. This expansion is a part of a broader initiative to enhance national security and ensure that applicants are thoroughly vetted before they are granted entry into the United States.

Understanding the Online Presence Review: A Major Change in US Visa Vetting

The United States has long had a reputation for enforcing strict security measures during its visa vetting process, but the introduction of online presence reviews marks a new chapter in these efforts. The US Department of State (DOS) began the rollout of this online identity check for certain visa categories in early 2025, and it now includes H-1B and H-4 applicants as of December 15, 2025.

Under the new regulations, all applicants for these visa categories—especially those from countries in Asia—will face a mandatory social media review. This means that all publicly accessible posts, comments, photos, and other content across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube will be scrutinized during the visa adjudication process.

While the intent behind this review is to enhance national security, it also places significant responsibility on visa applicants to ensure their online profiles meet the standards set by U.S. authorities. The DOS has emphasized that every visa adjudication is ultimately a national security decision, underscoring the importance of these new vetting measures.

What’s New with the Visa Application Process?

The online presence review is a key component of the new visa application process. Applicants for the H-1B and H-4 visas are required to make their social media profiles public and provide their usernames or handles for platforms they have used in the past five years. This policy is not limited to active accounts; even inactive accounts, which applicants have used in the past, will also be subject to review.

To make this process smoother, the U.S. Department of State has instructed applicants to ensure that their social media privacy settings are set to public. This allows consular officers to examine all publicly available content, including posts, affiliations, and statements, as part of the vetting procedure.

These enhanced reviews will now include the following elements:

• Social Media Content Scrutiny: Posts, photos, and comments on social media platforms will be reviewed for any content that may raise security concerns or contradict the terms of the visa application.
• Affiliation Review: Social media affiliations with certain groups, individuals, or organizations may be flagged if they are deemed to be potentially threatening to U.S. interests.
• Online Behavior: Any behaviors exhibited on social media—such as inflammatory statements or controversial posts—will be taken into account.

The ultimate goal of this review is to identify potential risks associated with visa applicants before they are granted entry to the U.S. The Department of State has emphasized that this measure is not about restricting freedom of speech but about ensuring that applicants comply with U.S. visa rules.

Impact on Visa Applicants: Who Is Affected?

The new online presence screening is already in effect, and its impact is particularly significant for applicants from countries that have a high volume of H-1B visa applicants. These include countries in Asia, such as India, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Indonesia.

Here is a detailed look at the countries affected by the expanded online presence review:

Affected Countries in Asia:

• Thailand
• China
• Japan
• India
• Malaysia
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Pakistan
• Nepal

The H-1B visa is particularly popular among skilled professionals in fields like information technology (IT), engineering, healthcare, and research, many of whom come from these countries. Consequently, the new online identity audits will affect professionals from these industries who seek to work in the U.S.

Breakdown of H-1B Approvals by Country

The following table shows the number of H-1B approvals from the top Asian countries in FY 2024, offering a glimpse into the scope of impact that the new online presence review will have on applicants from these regions.

What Does This Mean for H-1B and H-4 Applicants?

Applicants from the countries listed above should expect more rigorous scrutiny during their visa application process. The addition of online presence checks means that U.S. consular officers will now assess an applicant’s online identity, including any posts, affiliations, and online behaviors that could be deemed security risks.

Potential Outcomes of Online Presence Review:

• Increased Delays: Visa applicants may experience longer processing times due to the additional scrutiny of their social media presence. If consular officers find content that requires further investigation, this could lead to delays.
• Additional Security Screenings: Applicants whose online content raises concerns may be subject to further security checks, which could lengthen the overall processing time for their visas.
• Denied Applications: In extreme cases, if an applicant’s social media activity is found to be in direct conflict with U.S. visa requirements, their visa application may be denied.

Preparing for the New Vetting Process

Visa applicants from affected countries must take several proactive steps to ensure that their social media presence does not hinder their visa application. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Set Privacy Settings to Public: As required by the U.S. Department of State, all applicants must set their social media profiles to public. This ensures that consular officers can review the necessary content during the vetting process.
2. Review and Clean Up Social Media Profiles: Applicants should go through their social media accounts to remove or archive any posts, comments, or photos that may raise red flags. This includes anything that could be interpreted as politically charged, inflammatory, or contrary to the terms of their visa application.
3. Seek Employer Support: For those applying through employment-based visas like the H-1B, employers should guide their employees on how to maintain a professional and compliant online presence.
4. Plan for Delays: The expanded vetting process may cause delays in visa processing times. Applicants should plan their travel accordingly and apply for their visas well in advance of their intended travel dates.

The U.S. government’s decision to implement online identity audits as part of the visa application process has far-reaching implications. While the primary intent of the measure is to bolster national security, it brings significant challenges to applicants, especially those from countries with high volumes of H-1B visa applications.

For applicants, this means increased scrutiny of their online presence and potential delays in the visa process. Employers will need to be prepared for these delays, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on skilled foreign workers, such as technology, healthcare, and engineering.

In the long term, the introduction of online presence checks may set a precedent for other countries to follow suit, potentially making the visa application process more complex on a global scale. Applicants will need to adapt to this new normal and take steps to ensure their online presence is compliant with evolving regulations.

Thailand joins Japan, India, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, now faces heightened scrutiny as the U.S. expands digital identity audits for visa applicants. This new measure, effective from December 15, 2025, requires applicants to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for review as part of the U.S. government’s enhanced security protocols.

By staying informed and taking proactive measures, travelers can minimize the impact of these changes on their visa applications and travel plans. As the situation develops, it will be important for visa applicants and employers alike to monitor any further changes and adjust their strategies accordingly.