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Rajiv's Article - Enhanced social media vetting for student and exchange visas - What you need to know

10 months ago By Chief Editor

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 04, 2025

https://shorturl.at/xyEtn

Synopsis

The State Department's new social media screening measures affect F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa applicants, requiring mandatory reviews under certain conditions. These include broad interpretations of terrorist support and criteria for hostile attitudes toward U.S. institutions, potentially leading to visa revocations.

For more information on this article, please see the attachment below.

B-2 extension/F-1 Change of Status: Can I stay in the U.S.?

10 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My H-1B to B2 status change (I-539) was approved, and the I-94 expiry date on my B2 approval notice is 21 April 2025.

Now, if I apply for a B2 extension or F-1 change of status, then can I stay in the USA after 21-Apr-2025 while my decision is pending?

 

FAQ Transcript

Yes, you can generally stay in the US while your B-2 extension or F-1 change of status application is pending, provided you file it before your current status expires. This applies to most applications filed while still in status (e.g., H-1, B-1, B-2, L-1, E-1, E-2). If your I-94 expires on April 21st and you apply for a B-2 extension or F-1 change of status before that date, you can stay in the US while your application is pending because you filed it timely.

Recording for May 29, 2025, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

8 months ago By Chief Editor

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Agency

Nonimmigrant Visas

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FAQs: New 5% remittance tax bill for non-US citizens: Will it pass and are non-citizens eligible for tax credit?|| Will admitting to an unsuccessful job search affect my B-2 visa extension approval?

US Visa & Social Media: What you need to know about new screening policies and their impact

7 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I believe there was a proposal to include social media handles as part of certain visa/immigration applications. Do you know what the consequences of that are?



If one has deleted social media accounts they don't have access to or accounts they don't remember the details for would that negatively impact the application? Also, is it just public posts that get reviewed or do private messages/dms get reviewed also?

FAQ Transcript

As of June 24, 2025, the US Consulates have updated their policies for F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants. The key requirements are:

Public Privacy Settings: All your social media accounts must have their privacy settings adjusted to "public" so that the consulate can review them.

Disclosure of Usernames: You are required to list all social media usernames or handles from every platform you have used for the last 5 years. This includes accounts, even if they have since been deleted.

Failing to comply with these requirements, including omitting social media information or keeping accounts private, could lead to visa denial. The new policy aims to facilitate vetting to establish identity and admissibility to the United States.

Memorandum: Employment Eligibility for Derivatives of Conrad State 30 Program Physicians

11 years ago By Chief Editor

USCIS does not believe that a J-2 dependent of a J-1 foreign medical graduate can change to H-1B status, or any other employment-authorized nonimmigrant classification (with the exception of T or U status) until the principal Conrad State 30 waiver recipient has fulfilled his or her three-year employment obligations in a medically underserved area.However, USCIS is open to reviewing current regulations and considereing whether steps should be taken to enable such J-2 dependents to engage in employment while in H-4 status.

How to enter the USA to start a business and then continue

11 years ago By Rajiv S. Khanna

Immigration.Com has received the following question, which I think is important enough to be answered in a format accessible to all the people abroad interested in starting a business in the USA.

The Question

I am planning to start an IT company in USA which is registered in India. Currently I am planning to travel on B1/B2 visa for my company set up. Can I transfer my visa status from B1/B2 to L1 if required within USA? What are the possible chances of success?  Kindly you please suggest me the best way.

 

J1 Waiver Approval

18 years ago By Chief Editor

First of all my thanks to everyone who posted their comments and precious suggestions to help ppl makin their ways easier in immigration process. Below is my complete timeline of applying and getting J1 waiver.



Nov. 8, 2006 - Forms and affidavits got notarised to be sent to CGI Houston

Nov. 9, 2006 - Sent to CGI Houston for attestation

Nov. 10, 2006 - CGI Houston Recieves Documents and passport

Dec. 5, 2006 - Attested Documents return back to me (to be sent to authorities in India)

Nonimmigrant Visas

J Visa

16 years ago By Chief Editor

We have won several cases on extreme and exceptional hardship grounds in addition to the more routine J-1 waivers.  We have also processed several J-1 changes of MUA location matters for physicians.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Obama's Immigration Action, Discussion with Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna

11 years ago By admin

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

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Substantial transcription for video

For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.

Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action: 

1.      USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization.  That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.

 2.      Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:

 a.       Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;

 b.      Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs.  USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field.  USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.

 3.      Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).

 4.      Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.”  Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait.  But the following parole program will help:

 a.       Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where: 

 i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR  

 ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research

 5.      Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.”  As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait.  But the parole option above could be helpful.

 6.      Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify. 

 

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