The controversy comes as the US government considers tougher H-1B salary rules, which could make hiring foreign workers more expensive for companies
An Indian-American software engineer in the United States has found herself at the centre of an online debate over whether H-1B visa holders can legally earn money through social media activities.
Nikhila Godugu, a senior software development engineer at MarkLogic, was accused on X of violating H-1B visa conditions after reports claimed she monetised her Instagram account through a brand collaboration.
The allegations were raised by X user @CyberGreen09, who argued that H-1B visa holders are only allowed to work for their sponsoring employer. The post quickly drew attention amid growing discussions in the US around immigration policies and stricter scrutiny of skilled foreign workers.
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The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire foreign professionals in specialised fields, mainly technology and engineering
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However, visa holders are generally not permitted to take up additional employment outside their approved role
Legal experts say the rise of content creators and influencers has created a grey area for many professionals on work visas. While posting on social media is not illegal, earning money through promotions or sponsored content could potentially raise concerns with immigration authorities.
Immigration attorneys have warned that US officials are increasingly checking applicants’ online presence, including Instagram and other social platforms, during visa renewals and approvals. In some cases, online content that appears commercial has reportedly led to additional questioning or even visa denials.
A report by americanbazaaronline.com quoted Attorney Rahul Reddy, who said even unpaid content may attract scrutiny if it looks like freelance work or paid services. He noted that stricter immigration enforcement has increased monitoring of digital activity linked to visa compliance.
