The United States has announced the resumption of visa processing for international students, with a new requirement that applicants make their social media accounts public for screening purposes.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said its embassies and consulates will soon begin scheduling appointments for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa categories. Applicants are advised to check individual embassy or consulate websites for availability.
According to the new guidelines, student and exchange visa applicants must adjust the privacy settings on all social media accounts to “public” to allow for thorough vetting.
“We will conduct comprehensive background checks, including a review of online presence, for all F, M, and J visa applicants,” the department stated. “Failure to make social media profiles public may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal information and could negatively affect the outcome of a visa application.”
The U.S. government emphasized the importance of rigorous screening to protect its national security, stating that all applicants must clearly demonstrate they intend to pursue the activities permitted under the visa classification they are applying for.
This policy update comes after a suspension of student visa processing in May under the Trump administration, which aimed to strengthen restrictions on individuals deemed potentially hostile to the U.S.
