In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State said that applicants seeking F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) nonimmigrant visas will now be subject to more rigorous screening measures. This includes a mandatory review of their digital footprint.
“To enhance our national security protocols, we will now conduct comprehensive vetting, including the online presence of all applicants in the F, M, and J visa categories,” the statement said.
“To facilitate this process, applicants must adjust the privacy settingsof all social media accounts to ‘public’ to ensure full visibility during the application review,” it added.
The department emphasized that a visa to the United States is “a privilege, not a right,” underscoring that visa adjudications are national security decisions.
This policy shift follows a temporary suspension of student visa processing in May, ordered by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. With the resumption now underway, embassies and consulates have been instructed to begin scheduling appointments. Applicants are advised to consult their local U.S. embassy websites for updates on availability.
The move is expected to impact thousands of international students and exchange visitors planning to study or train in the U.S. in the coming academic year.
