The US State Department began social media checks for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants from December 15. Visa officers now examine all social media accounts of candidates to detect any anti-American content. Approvals are no longer instant but can take days. This has led to big problems in Indian consular offices. Hundreds of visa interviews were suddenly pushed back to mid-2026. Many applicants shared that officers asked if they knew about this new process and if they made their social media accounts public. Applicants often receive a 221(g) slip stating refusal, which later changes to approved. One Reddit user shared, "The visa officer asked if I mentioned all social media accounts in DS-160; I said no." The officer did not take their passport but gave them a DS-5535 form to list all social media profiles and keep them public. The applicant’s case status showed "refused" initially. The DS-160 is the online form required before most US non-immigrant visa interviews. Now, applicants must list social media handles used in the last five years, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, Snapchat, Pinterest, Tumblr, WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat. The DS-5535, or "Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants," is given only after the interview for extra background checks. Those who list all social media in DS-160 usually do not get this form. DS-5535 does not mean denial but can delay visa processing for weeks or months.