On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of State introduced a major change to the visa application process that affects millions of people around the world. This update requires all visa applicants—especially those applying for F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visas—to disclose every social media handle they have used in the past five years and to make these accounts publicly viewable during the visa process. The policy, which started with a Department of State cable on June 18, 2025, has quickly become a standard part of U.S. visa screening. It now also covers employment-based, family-based immigrant visas, and K-1 fiancé(e) visas.
This update brings big changes for visa applicants, universities, employers, and families. Below, you’ll find a clear summary of what has changed, who is affected, what actions are required, and what this means for pending and future visa applications.
What Has Changed: The New Social Media Policy
The Department of State now requires all visa applicants to:
- List every social media username or handle used in the last five years on their visa application forms. This includes the DS-160 (for nonimmigrant visas) and DS-260 (for immigrant visas).
- Make all social media accounts public during the visa application process. This means that consular officers must be able to view your posts, photos, and other content without any privacy restrictions.
- Keep accounts public until the visa process is complete. If an account is set to private or deleted, it may cause delays or even lead to a visa denial.
This policy is not just for students and exchange visitors anymore. It now covers almost all major visa categories, including:
- F, M, and J visas (students, vocational students, and exchange visitors)
- Employment-based visas (such as H-1B, L-1, O-1)
- Family-based immigrant visas (such as IR, CR, F2A, F2B)
- K-1 fiancé(e) visas
Effective Dates and Implementation
- The Department of State sent out a cable on June 18, 2025, instructing all U.S. consulates and embassies to start following the new rules within five business days.
- By June 26, 2025, every U.S. consulate around the world was required to comply.
- The policy is now in full effect for all new and pending visa applications.
Who Is Affected by the Policy
This change affects a wide range of people, including:
- International students hoping to study in the United States 🇺🇸 on F or M visas
- Exchange visitors participating in programs like the J-1 visa
- Skilled workers and professionals applying for employment-based visas
- Family members seeking to join relatives in the United States 🇺🇸 through family-based immigrant visas
- Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens applying for K-1 visas
If you are applying for any of these visas, you must follow the new social media rules. Even if you started your application before June 26, 2025, you may be asked to update your information and make your accounts public.
Required Actions for Visa Applicants
If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa, or if your application is already in process, here’s what you need to do:
- Gather a complete list of all social media handles you have used in the past five years. This includes usernames on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and others.
- Enter these handles on your visa application form.
- For nonimmigrant visas, use the DS-160 form.
- For immigrant visas, use the DS-260 form.
- Change your account settings to public for every social media account you list. This means anyone, including consular officers, can see your posts and activity.
- Keep your accounts public until your visa is issued or your application is officially closed.
- Do not delete or hide any accounts after submitting your application. If you do, it may look like you are trying to hide something, which can lead to delays or denial.
- Be prepared for questions about your online activity during your visa interview.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
The Department of State has made it clear: if you do not list all your social media handles, or if you refuse to make your accounts public, your visa application can be denied or delayed. Consular officers have the authority to refuse your visa under INA § 221(g), which allows them to request more information or put your case into “administrative processing.”
Administrative processing can last weeks or even months. In some cases, if officers find posts or comments they consider “derogatory” (such as anti-U.S. statements, support for extremist groups, or hateful language), your visa may be denied outright.
How the Screening Process Works
Consular officers now use a wide range of tools to check your online presence. This includes:
- Reviewing your public social media profiles
- Using advanced databases like LexisNexis and CLASS to search for any concerning information
- Comparing your online activity with the information you provided on your application
Officers look for:
- Hostile attitudes toward the United States 🇺🇸 or its government
- Support for extremist or violent groups
- Hateful or discriminatory language
- Inconsistencies between your online activity and your visa application
If officers find something that raises questions, they may ask you about it during your interview or put your case into administrative processing for further review.
Implications for Pending Applications
If you submitted your visa application before June 26, 2025, but your interview or processing is still pending, you may be asked to update your application with your social media handles and make your accounts public. Failure to do so can result in delays or denial.
Applicants who have already had their interviews but are waiting for a decision may also be asked to provide additional information or make their accounts public before a final decision is made.
Practical Effects: What Applicants Are Experiencing
Since the policy took effect, many visa applicants have reported:
- Longer wait times for visa appointments and processing. Consular officers now spend more time reviewing each applicant’s online presence, which slows down the process for everyone.
- Increased anxiety and confusion. Many applicants worry that old or out-of-context posts could hurt their chances, even if the posts were harmless or made years ago.
- Privacy concerns. Making private social media profiles public can feel intrusive, especially for applicants who use these platforms to share personal or sensitive information.
- Targeted scrutiny. Some reports suggest that applicants from certain countries face extra scrutiny, and students applying to less well-known universities may be reviewed more closely.
Stakeholder Perspectives: What Different Groups Are Saying
- U.S. Government: Officials from the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security say the policy is needed for national security. They argue that checking social media helps prevent dangerous individuals from entering the United States 🇺🇸.
- Privacy Advocates: Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) strongly oppose the policy. They argue that requiring public access to social media goes too far and invades applicants’ privacy. They believe that simply listing social media handles should be enough.
- Universities and Exchange Programs: Many schools worry that the policy will discourage international students from applying to study in the United States 🇺🇸. They also fear it could limit free speech and academic freedom.
- Visa Applicants: Many applicants feel stressed and uncertain. They are concerned that something they posted years ago, or even a joke, could be misunderstood and lead to a visa denial.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
The idea of checking visa applicants’ social media is not new. In 2019, under President Trump, the Department of State started asking some applicants to list their social media handles using a special form called DS-5535. However, applicants were not required to make their accounts public.
The new 2025 policy goes much further. Now, almost all applicants must make their accounts public, and officers are expected to do a much deeper review of each person’s online activity. This change is part of a larger trend in U.S. immigration policy, which puts more focus on security and digital screening.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
As of July 2025, there are no signs that the Department of State plans to change or reverse this policy. Privacy groups and international organizations continue to push for reform, but for now, the rules remain in place.
- Visa processing times may stay longer as consulates adjust to the extra work.
- Technology may play an even bigger role in the future, with new tools making it easier for officers to search and analyze online activity.
- Applicants should expect continued scrutiny of their online presence for the foreseeable future.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
If you are applying for a U.S. visa, it’s important to stay informed and get help if you need it. Here are some useful resources:
- The U.S. Department of State’s official visa page provides up-to-date information on visa requirements and policies.
- Many universities have international student offices that can help students understand and meet the new requirements.
- Privacy advocacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) offer advice and updates on the policy’s impact.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps for Visa Applicants
- Be honest and thorough when listing your social media handles. Double-check that you include every account you have used in the past five years.
- Set all accounts to public before you submit your application and keep them public until your visa is approved or denied.
- Review your social media content for anything that could be misunderstood or seen as negative by consular officers. If you are unsure, ask for advice from your school, employer, or a trusted immigration attorney.
- Prepare for longer wait times and possible follow-up questions about your online activity.
- Stay updated by checking the Department of State’s website and talking to your school or employer’s immigration office.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the expanded social media vetting policy has already led to longer processing times and increased stress for many visa applicants. The debate between national security and privacy rights continues, but for now, all applicants must follow the new rules to avoid delays or denials.
Summary Table: What You Need to Know
| Requirement | Applies To | Action Needed | Consequence for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| List all social media handles (5 yrs) | All visa applicants | Enter on DS-160 or DS-260 | Delay or denial under INA § 221(g) |
| Make accounts public | All visa applicants | Change privacy settings to public | Delay or denial |
| Keep accounts public during process | All visa applicants | Do not delete or hide accounts | Delay or denial |
| Update info if requested | Pending applicants | Provide new handles or make accounts public | Delay or denial |
Final Thoughts
The Department of State’s new social media policy marks a big shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 screens visa applicants. While the goal is to protect national security, the policy raises real concerns about privacy and fairness. If you are applying for a visa, take the time to understand the new rules, prepare your social media accounts, and seek help if you need it. Staying informed and proactive is the best way to avoid problems and keep your immigration plans on track.
Learn Today
F Visa → Nonimmigrant visa for academic students attending U.S. institutions for full-time study.
DS-160 Form → Online application form for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States temporarily.
Administrative Processing → Additional review phase of visa applications that can cause delays or denials.
INA § 221(g) → Immigration rule allowing consular officers to delay or refuse visa issuance for more review.
J Visa → Nonimmigrant visa for exchange visitors participating in approved cultural or educational programs.
This Article in a Nutshell
The U.S. Department of State’s new social media policy demands visa applicants list and publicize accounts used in five years. This aims to boost national security but raises privacy concerns and longer processing times. Applicants should comply fully to avoid delays and denials in their visa process.
— By VisaVerge.com
