On June 18, 2025, after a pause on student visa appointments, the Department of State issued guidance to embassies and consular sections with new directives for screening the social media of F, M and J visa applicants.
Policy Updates: Social Media Screening for Political Activity
- Consular officers are now instructed to review student visa applicants’ online presence for “any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States,” as well as any “advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to U.S. national security” and “support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.”
- Applicants with a demonstrated “history of political activism” will be flagged, and officers are instructed to “consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.”
- The Department’s cable also instructs officers to take screenshots of applicants’ social media posts to preserve the record against possible alteration or loss of information.
- Applicants will not become automatically ineligible for a visa if their social media is flagged, but they will likely be subject to additional review to determine whether they are likely to “engage only in activities consistent with [their] nonimmigrant visa status.” This could significantly delay visa processing.
Applicants Instructed to Adjust Social Media Accounts to “Public”
- To facilitate this vetting process, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, including professors and postdoctoral researchers, will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public,” according to the Department of State’s guidance cable.
- If an applicant refuses to adjust their social media accounts to “public,” they may be treated as failing to provide certain information on request.
How to Prepare for Your Student Visa Interview
- Apply early. The resumption of new student visa interviews with extensive social media screenings will likely lead to longer wait times for visa appointments and approvals. Accordingly, we recommend scheduling your visa appointment at least 3-6 months before your planned travel to the U.S.
- Self-screen your social media accounts. Students should thoroughly screen their own social media for any posts that might lead to their application being flagged for “hostile” political activity.
- Comply with requests to adjust social media profiles to “Public.” To avoid increased scrutiny and possible denial, we recommend that applicants for F, J and M visas adjust their social media accounts to “public” ahead of their visa interview appointment. Refusal to comply is likely to result in a visa denial for attempting to obscure relevant information.
The immigration attorneys at Ryan Swanson are available to answer your questions and help ensure that you are prepared for your visa interview appointment
