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JAPA: U.S. Introduces Social Media Disclosure Policy for Student and Exchange Visa Applicants
The United States has rolled out a new policy requiring applicants for certain nonimmigrant visas to make their social media accounts publicly accessible as part of the visa screening process.
Effective immediately, individuals applying for F, M, or J visas—commonly issued for academic, vocational, or cultural exchange programs must set the privacy settings on their social media profiles to “public.” This includes platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
According to an official notice, the move is aimed at enhancing national security by allowing authorities to verify applicants’ identities and assess their admissibility based on their online activity.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the notice stated. “To support the vetting process, all F, M, and J visa applicants are now required to adjust the privacy settings on their personal social media accounts to allow public access.”
The new requirement is expected to affect thousands of international students, scholars, and exchange visitors planning to travel to the U.S. for educational or cultural programs.