New H-1B Visa Rules: Mandatory Social Media Reviews and $100,000 Fee

The Trump administration has introduced two significant changes to the H-1B visa program, creating new hurdles for skilled foreign workers and their employers. First, starting December 15, 2025, all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will be subject to an "online presence review," requiring them to set their social media profiles to public for government scrutiny. The State Department has indicated that visas may be denied to anyone deemed to have been involved in "censorship" of free speech. This has already led to the cancellation and rescheduling of visa appointments. Second, a new executive order imposes a staggering $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. This fee is causing turmoil, particularly for rural healthcare facilities that heavily rely on foreign doctors to serve their communities. These visa updates are part of the administration's broader strategy to restrict the H-1B program and protect American jobs. The combination of invasive social media vetting and a prohibitive new fee represents a major policy change that will significantly impact the ability of U.S. companies to hire and retain foreign talent.