India, Dec. 17 -- Starting from December 15, the US State Department broadened the social media vetting process for skilled-worker visas, extending the examination to encompass H-1B professionals and their H-4 dependents.

With the new policy roll out, initial applicants are already experiencing delays, retention of passports, and temporary denials pending administrative review.

Earlier, mandatory social media screening primarily applied to student and exchange visitor visas categorized under F, M, and J. This modification indicates that skilled workers who are renewing or applying for H-1B visas will now face the same degree of online scrutiny.

While there is no immediate decision regarding the approval or rejection of visa appeals, ca...