India, Dec. 23 -- The United States has expanded its visa screening process to include comprehensive online presence checks for all H-1B and H-4 applicants worldwide, a move officials say is aimed at curbing abuse of the work visa programme while safeguarding national security.

In a post on X, the US Embassy India announced a "worldwide alert" for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, stating that from December 15 the Department of State has broadened online reviews as part of standard visa screening. The measure applies globally to applicants of all nationalities seeking these visas.

According to the embassy, the expanded vetting is intended to address alleged misuse of the H-1B programme while still allowing US companies to recruit "the best ...