The United States Embassy has announced that all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must ensure their social media profiles are set to public, in a move aimed at strengthening security checks for individuals seeking entry into the US for study, training or cultural exchange programmes.
In an official statement, the embassy said the new measure takes immediate effect and forms part of its expanded national security framework. F, M, and J visa categories are typically issued to students, vocational trainees and participants in cultural or academic exchange programmes.
Under the directive, applicants must adjust the privacy settings on their personal social media accounts to allow immigration officials to review posted content as part of the vetting process.
The embassy explained that online activity is now a significant factor in verifying applicants’ identities and assessing their admissibility under US immigration law.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the statement read. “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”
Embassy officials warned that failure to comply with the requirement could negatively affect both current visa applications and any future attempts to enter the US.
The embassy further stressed that any social media content perceived to support terrorism, justify ethnic cleansing, or endorse violence on political or religious grounds may result in an application being denied outright.
The directive applies to all applicants regardless of nationality and comes amid broader efforts by US immigration authorities to tighten screening procedures.
The US Embassy in Mexico clarified that the requirement is designed to support comprehensive background checks and reduce the risk of fraudulent applications. Transparency on digital platforms is now viewed as a critical layer of security vetting.
The move follows previous policy adjustments requiring visa applicants to disclose usernames for various online platforms during the application process. With this new step, US immigration officers will have greater access to applicants’ digital footprints to identify potential security concerns.
Analysts say the new guideline underscores Washington’s continued emphasis on national security and reinforces measures that were gradually introduced in recent years to broaden the scope of background checks.
Applicants are advised to review their social media content thoroughly and ensure full compliance to avoid unnecessary delays, denials, or complications in future visa applications.
