The United States government has announced the resumption of student and exchange visitor visa processing, accompanied by a major new requirement. All applicants must make their social media profiles public for security vetting purposes.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State announced that individuals applying for F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) nonimmigrant visas will now undergo enhanced screening, which includes a thorough review of their online presence.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those posing national security risks. Under new guidance, all student and exchange visitor visa applicants must adjust their social media privacy settings to ‘public,’” the statement said.
The department emphasized that securing a US visa is “a privilege, not a right,” framing visa decisions as matters of national security.
US embassies and consulates worldwide are expected to begin scheduling appointments for these visa categories soon. Applicants are advised to check the websites of their respective embassies for the most up-to-date guidelines.
This development follows a temporary suspension of student visa processing in May ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.