New U.S. Visa Rule Requires Student and Exchange Visitor Social Media to Be Public
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a significant update to its visa vetting procedures, the U.S. Department of State has announced an immediate new requirement for certain visa applicants. All individuals applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas—which include students and academic exchange visitors—are now being asked to set their social media accounts to a “public” privacy setting.
According to a notice posted on official U.S. visa information channels, the measure is intended to “facilitate vetting necessary to establish [applicants’] identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.”
The directive underscores the increasing role social media plays in U.S. national security and immigration screening. The notice explicitly warns that failing to comply with this new guidance could have serious consequences: “Not including this info could result in a visa denial or make you ineligible for future visas.”
This change aligns with broader, stricter immigration policies. The notice also references a specific Presidential Proclamation set to take effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT. This proclamation will suspend or limit entry and visa issuance for nationals of certain countries, citing the need to protect the United States from “Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”
While applicants from the affected countries can still submit visa applications and attend interviews, the notice clarifies they “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States” under the new rules.
Aspiring students and exchange visitors are urged to adjust their social media privacy settings on all platforms before their visa interviews. The official advice also reminds applicants to be honest and meticulously double-check their applications for accuracy before submission.
For further details, applicants are directed to visit the official U.S. Department of State travel website at travel.state.gov or the U.S. Embassy’s visa information page at ug.usembassy.gov/visas.
