Students planning to study in the United States, take note—a new requirement has been introduced that may impact your F, M, or J visa application.
Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F (academic student), M (vocational student), or J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visa are being asked to adjust the privacy settings of their personal social media accounts to “public.”
According to an official notice, this change is being implemented to support national security and to help U.S. authorities verify applicants’ identities and admissibility under U.S. law. Making your social media accounts publicly accessible allows the consular officers to perform necessary vetting as part of the visa adjudication process.
What Does This Mean for You?
- Review all your personal social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Update your privacy settings to ensure the posts and profile information are publicly visible.
- Be mindful of the content you share—your online presence now plays a role in your visa application process.
Our Suggestion
Before applying or attending your visa interview, do a quick audit of your social profiles. Clean up anything that could be misinterpreted, and ensure your account details—like name, education, and affiliations—accurately reflect your identity and background.
We understand that this might feel like a significant shift in personal privacy, but being informed and proactive can help prevent delays or complications in your visa process.
For any assistance or clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to our consultancy team. We’re here to support you every step of the way on your journey to international education.
