Pareesa Afreen 
Dec 04, 2025
An image of US flag and a US H-1B visa application form is seen in this illustration taken on September 22, 2025. — Reuters
The Trump administration issued new orders on Thursday to tighten the vetting process for H-1B visa applicants, especially those working in the technology sector.
According to a State Department cable seen by Reuters, consular officers are now instructed to review resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and employment histories of both new and repeat applicants.
It flags activities explicitly related to "censorship" of free speech, including misinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, and compliance roles.
"If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible," the cable states, citing the Immigration and Nationality Act.
H-1B visas permit US companies to recruit highly skilled workers from abroad. US tech firms hire extensively from countries such as India and China.
The new rules also apply to applicants and their accompanying family members, reflecting a broader focus on the protection of free speech in foreign policy.
Officials have emphasised that heightened scrutiny is particularly necessary for those employed in social media or financial services companies where suppression of protected expression may occur.
The move extends earlier Trump administration policies focused on visa holders. Previously, consular officers were directed to screen applicants for student visas for social media posts deemed hostile to the United States.
New fees were also levied on H-1B visas in September as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
Trump and other Republican leaders have criticised efforts by the former Biden administration and international authorities to regulate speech on the internet.
Rubio previously suggested visa restrictions could extend to foreign officials influencing US tech companies.
