United States expands social media requirements for specific visa categories

Starting October 1, the United States will expand its social media review process for certain non-immigrant visa applicants. Under the new rules, individuals applying for I, TN, and TD visa categories must set their social media profiles to “public” or “open” during the application review.

The I visa category is designated for foreign media representatives, such as journalists. The TN and TD categories apply to professionals and dependents covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The U.S. Department of State stated that this measure is intended to facilitate identity verification and assess the admissibility of travelers. The government uses available online information to ensure applicants do not pose a threat to national security or public safety and to confirm that their intended purpose of travel aligns with visa requirements. This expansion builds upon existing reviews already required for other categories, including students, exchange visitors, and certain temporary workers.