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Recording for June 26, 2025 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

5 months ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

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



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

5 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.

Recording for July 10, 2025 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

4 months ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

 

FAQs: What are the risks of job seeking while on F-2 or B-1/B-2 status post-H-1B layoff || F-1 COS -- Risks of future denials, job search, and visa stamping with multiple status changes || H-4 extension (I-539) abandoned by travel? Re-filing strategy after re-entry with new I-94

What are the risks of job seeking while on F-2 or B-1/B-2 status post-H-1B layoff

4 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am currently on an H1B visa and, unfortunately, I’ve been laid off. My last working day will be July 31st. I'm evaluating my options to maintain legal status in the U.S. after that date. The two primary paths I’m considering are:

Filing a Change of Status to B1/B2 (Visitor Visa). Filing a Change of Status to F2 (Dependent on my wife’s STEM OPT)

I saw your post on LinkedIn where you mentioned that USCIS has recently issued RFEs in B1/B2-to-H1B conversion cases, citing that seeking employment while on a B status may constitute a status violation.

My question is:

If I change to F2, would I face similar scrutiny during a future change back to H1B, especially if I'm job hunting while on F2?

Does job searching or interviewing while on F2 (without actual employment) violate the terms of that status? Also, I'd greatly appreciate your insights on the pros and cons of switching to F2 vs. B1/B2 from a strategic and compliance perspective.

 

FAQ Transcript

Seeking a job while on F-2 or B-1/B-2 status after an H-1B layoff carries no inherent risk, as the prohibition is on doing the job, not looking for one. While some individuals have faced challenges from USCIS when converting back to H-1B, the speaker views such objections as unfounded. Even in a worst-case scenario, an H-1B approval might necessitate a brief departure and re-entry to the U.S.

 

F-1 COS -- Risks of future denials, job search, and visa stamping with multiple status changes

4 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My question is regarding conversion from H-4 to F-1. I landed in the US on an F-2 visa, which was later converted to an H-4. So I don't have a sticker visa on my passport. Now I'm trying to gain admission to a university and change my status to F-1 again. Would I face any issues in this matter now or later? If I don't manage to get a job later, would I still be able to stay and convert back to H-4, or could I possibly face a denial?

Secondly, if I go back home and get a visa stamp, can I face any potential problems because this is going to be my second master's and I've gone through three visa status changes in a short period?

 

FAQ Transcript

No, there's no limit to how many times you can change your immigration status within the U.S. As long as the changes (e.g., F2 to H4 to F1) are legitimate and not just for "fun," they should not pose a problem for future denials or visa stamping.

 

Another Problem for Legal Immigration - NTAs (Removal/Deportation Despite Legal Stay)

4 months ago By Rajiv S. Khanna

Another Problem for Legal Immigration - NTAs (Removal/Deportation Despite Legal Stay)

July 24, 2025

Community members and our lawyer colleagues have shared their stories. It appears:



1. The NTAs are getting resolved quickly, where you are still in the grace period and/or have a B-type petition pending. Motions to terminate are working.



2. The hearing dates are also being given in a few days or weeks.



3. The percentage of NTAs is relatively small.

Does Unlawful Presence Continue to Accrue While Fighting an NTA?

4 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Can I receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) for deportation even if I have legal immigration status or a pending application?

This question is particularly important because continued accrual of unlawful presence during removal proceedings can trigger the three-year or ten-year bars, severely limiting future immigration options.

General Rule: Yes, Unlawful Presence Continues

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