H-1B Visa Fee Hike Hits $100K; New Screening Rules Shock Applicants

Apparently, the U.S. State Department has revealed more stringent vetting processes for H-1B visa applicants through a newly acquired internal memorandum by Reuters. The rules, which were sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates on 2nd December, not only broaden the reasons for rejecting a visa but also enforce a more thorough examination of the candidates’ professional backgrounds.

This action comes after the quick and ratified contradiction of September which raised H-1B applications to $100,000. The abrupt increase has a direct impact on U.S. companies which are highly dependent on foreign skillful workers from India and China.

According to the revised directions, the officials are not only allowed to consider applicants’ resumes, but are also obliged to examine the professional lives and digital profiles of family members travelling with them. The memo warns that people associated with roles in content moderation, misinformation, disinformation, fact-checking, and online safety might be barred from getting a visa.

Moreover, the document points to overseas involvement in what is loosely described as “censorship” of free speech in the U.S. If the evidence is sufficient to prove that a visa applicant has done or is doing the “censorship” of the expression of free speech protected by law, then that applicant’s ineligibility must be pursued, the memo says while referring to the Immigration and Nationality Act.

In a way, the strict measures regarding the screening process apply to all visa categories, but workers with H-1B are the ones mainly put in the spotlight due to the nature of their work in tech, social media, and even the financial and gaming sectors where content moderation might be involved. The memo reiterates the importance of thoroughly checking applicants’ work histories to make sure that no one has been involved in the downplaying of protected expression.

The changes to the rules apply to not only new but also to already existing applicants for H-1B visas, indicating a stricter regulation policy towards skilled foreign workers coming to the U.S. The Department of State has yet to make a public announcement concerning the internal directive.