India, Dec. 16 -- The United States Department of State has declared that effective December 15, all applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas will be required to undergo an 'online presence review' as part of their application procedure.

On December 9, the US Embassy in India announced the cancellation and rescheduling of visa appointments before the enforcement of the social media screening mandate from December 15.

As a result, there has been a complete suspension of all visa appointments, with the most considerable effect on H-1B visa holders. Indian H-1B visa holders are presently stranded in the country due to their inability to obtain visa stamps at the consulate.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in India stated that the Department of ...