US to require student visa applicants to make social media profiles public

The State Department said all its overseas posts will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon.

Under the new process, consular officers are expected to perform an online presence review, including review of all social media, on all student and exchange visitor visa applicants. / Courtesy of Lalit K Jha

In a significant move aimed at tightening visa vetting procedures, the United States on June 18 announced that all applicants for student and exchange visitor visas will now be required to make their social media accounts public.

According to a new directive issued by the State Department, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive review of the online presence—including social media—of individuals applying under the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications, which include academic and cultural exchange programs.

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