State Department Announces Expanded Visa Screening for F, M, and J Applicants

Key Takeaways

• From June 26, 2025, all F, M, and J visa applicants must make social media profiles public for consular review.
• Applicants face enhanced vetting including potential extra documents and longer processing under INA 221(g).
• Policy aims to detect hostility, terrorism support, and unlawful antisemitic activity to protect U.S. national security.

On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced sweeping changes to the way F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants are screened at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. This new policy, which took full effect by June 26, 2025, requires all applicants in these categories to make their social media profiles public for review by consular officers. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen national security, but it has also sparked concerns about privacy, delays, and the impact on international students and scholars.

What Has Changed for Visa Applicants?

The most significant change is the mandatory public access to social media profiles for all F, M, and J visa applicants. In the past, applicants were asked to list their social media handles from the last five years on the DS-160 form, but consular officers did not always review these accounts in detail. Now, every applicant must set their social media accounts to “public” so officers can examine their online activity before making a visa decision.

Key requirements now include:
– Making all social media profiles public for the duration of the visa application process.
– Consular officers will review these profiles for any signs of hostility toward the United States 🇺🇸, support for terrorism, or involvement in unlawful antisemitic activity.
– Applicants may face additional interview questions and requests for more documents if their online activity raises concerns.

According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this marks a shift from previous years, when enforcement of social media checks was inconsistent and often depended on the officer or the applicant’s country of origin.

Why Did the U.S. Department of State Make This Change?

The U.S. Department of State says the expanded vetting is necessary to identify people who might pose a threat to the United States 🇺🇸. The June 18 announcement, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, explained that the new rules are designed to catch applicants who:
– Express hostile attitudes toward U.S. citizens, culture, or government
– Support or aid foreign terrorist groups
– Promote or participate in unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence

The Department’s Office of the Spokesperson stated, “Visa issuance is a privilege, not a right. We have a responsibility to protect our country and its people.”

How Does the New Screening Process Work?

The new process is now a two-step system for all F, M, and J visa applicants:

1. Standard Eligibility Review: Officers check if the applicant meets the basic requirements for the visa category.
2. Enhanced Vetting (INA 221(g) Administrative Processing): If anything in the application or social media profile raises questions, the officer can request more documents, ask more questions, or place the application under further review. This step can add weeks or even months to the process.

Applicants must:
– Complete the DS-160 form and list all social media handles used in the past five years.
– Change privacy settings on all social media accounts to “public.”
– Be ready to answer questions about their online activity during the visa interview.
– Provide extra documents if requested.

If the officer finds anything concerning, the application may be put on hold under INA 221(g), which means it will not be approved or denied until further checks are completed.

Timeline of the Policy Rollout

• May 27, 2025: The U.S. Department of State paused all new F, M, and J visa appointments to prepare for the new rules.
• June 18, 2025: The Department issued the expanded vetting guidance and told all embassies and consulates to implement it within five business days.
• June 23, 2025: Many posts resumed scheduling visa interviews for F, M, and J applicants.
• June 26, 2025: All posts were required to fully implement the new protocols.

Who Is Affected by the New Rules?

All F, M, and J visa applicants are now subject to these requirements. This includes:
– Students coming to the United States 🇺🇸 for academic or vocational programs
– Exchange visitors, such as scholars, researchers, and interns

Special attention is given to:
– Applicants with a history of visa denials or problems
– Those whose SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records have been terminated
– Applicants who have participated in protests or political activity

Applicants from 19 countries listed in the June 4 Presidential Proclamation who did not have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025, may not be eligible for a visa, even though interviews have resumed.

What Are Consular Officers Looking For?

Consular officers are now required to:
– Review all public social media profiles for signs of hostility, support for terrorism, or unlawful antisemitic activity
– Take screenshots and notes of any concerning posts or comments
– Flag any derogatory information for further review

This process is much more labor-intensive than before, which means officers can handle fewer cases each day.

What Does This Mean for Universities and Colleges?

Many U.S. universities and colleges rely on international students and scholars. The new rules could cause delays in student arrivals, especially at schools where international students make up more than 15% of the student body. The U.S. Department of State may give priority to schools with fewer international students to spread out the workload.

University international offices—such as those at the University of Pennsylvania and UC Santa Cruz—have already warned students and scholars about possible delays. They recommend that applicants:
– Review their social media presence and remove or clarify any posts that could be misunderstood
– Apply as early as possible to allow time for extra screening

Step-by-Step Guide for Visa Applicants

If you are applying for an F, M, or J visa, here’s what you need to do:

1. Fill out the DS-160 form: Make sure to list all social media handles used in the past five years.
2. Set all social media profiles to public: Adjust your privacy settings so consular officers can view your posts, photos, and comments.
3. Schedule your visa interview: Check your local U.S. embassy or consulate website for available appointment dates.
4. Prepare for enhanced vetting: Be ready to answer questions about your online activity and provide extra documents if asked.
5. Wait for administrative processing if flagged: If your application is put under INA 221(g), be patient. Processing times may be longer than usual.

For the latest official guidance, visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa information page.

Impact on Processing Times and Capacity

Because the new screening process is more detailed, processing capacity is expected to drop. This means:
– Longer wait times for visa appointments and approvals
– More administrative processing under INA 221(g)
– Possible delays in starting school or research programs

Universities, especially those with large numbers of international students, may need to adjust their timelines and offer more support to incoming students.

Privacy and Legal Concerns

Many immigration lawyers and privacy advocates have raised concerns about the new policy. They argue that:
– Making social media profiles public puts applicants at risk of harassment or persecution in their home countries
– Consular officers may misinterpret jokes, sarcasm, or cultural references on social media
– The policy could discourage free expression if applicants feel they must censor themselves online

Some groups are considering legal challenges, saying the requirement may violate privacy rights or international human rights standards.

National Security and Policy Context

The U.S. government says the changes are necessary to protect the country from people who might have dangerous intentions. The policy builds on steps taken during the Trump administration, which started collecting social media identifiers in 2017 and added them to the DS-160 form in 2019. The difference now is that every applicant must make their profiles public, and officers must review them in detail.

The Department of State emphasizes that visa issuance is a privilege, not a right, and that the United States 🇺🇸 must do everything possible to keep its citizens safe.

Multiple Perspectives on the New Policy

Historical Background

• 2017: The Department of Homeland Security began storing social media identifiers in immigration files.
• 2019: The DS-160 form was updated to require disclosure of social media handles for the past five years.
• May 2025: The Trump administration paused new F, M, and J visa interviews to prepare for expanded social media vetting.
• June 2025: The new, mandatory public-access social media vetting protocols were implemented for all F, M, and J visa applicants.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

If you are planning to apply for an F, M, or J visa, start preparing early:
– Check your social media profiles: Remove or clarify any posts that could be misunderstood.
– Set all accounts to public: This is now required for your application to be processed.
– Gather extra documents: Be ready to provide more information if asked.
– Stay in touch with your university’s international office: They can provide updates and support.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

The situation is still developing. Processing times are likely to remain longer than usual as consular officers adjust to the new requirements. Privacy and civil liberties groups may file legal challenges, and universities will continue to monitor the impact on international education.

There is also a possibility that the administration could expand similar vetting to other visa categories or tighten the rules further, depending on ongoing security reviews.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check:
– The U.S. Department of State’s visa information page
– Your local U.S. embassy or consulate website
– Your university’s international student or scholar services office

If you have questions about the DS-160 form or the new requirements, you can find the official form and instructions here.

Practical Takeaways

• All F, M, and J visa applicants must make social media profiles public for review by consular officers.
• Processing times are likely to be longer, so apply as early as possible.
• Be careful about what you post online, as officers will review your profiles in detail.
• Stay informed by checking official government and university sources regularly.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes represent one of the most significant shifts in U.S. visa policy in recent years, with wide-ranging effects for students, scholars, and universities around the world. While the goal is to protect national security, the practical impact will be felt by thousands of international applicants and the institutions that welcome them each year.

By understanding the new requirements and preparing carefully, applicants can improve their chances of a smooth visa process—even as the rules continue to evolve.

Learn Today

F Visa → Student visa for academic studies in the United States requiring eligibility and security checks.
DS-160 Form → Online application form where visa applicants list personal and social media information for consular review.
INA 221(g) → U.S. immigration law section allowing additional administrative processing that can delay visa decisions.
Consular Officer → A U.S. government official responsible for interviewing visa applicants and reviewing their eligibility.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System tracks international students and exchange visitors in the U.S.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting June 26, 2025, U.S. visa applicants for F, M, and J categories must disclose public social media profiles, enabling deeper security reviews that may delay processing but aim to safeguard national security amid privacy concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com