[REVISION HISTORY]

US social media screening for specific visa applicants

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-30 23:27 UTC → 2026-10-03 04:16 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The United States Department of State is implementing a new policy effective October 1, 2026, requiring certain nonimmigrant visa applicants to make their social media profiles “public” or “open” to facilitate the adjudication process. The requirement specifically targets I visa applicants, including foreign media representatives from the press, radio, and film industries, as well as TN visa applicants from Canada and Mexico under the USMCA and their dependents (TD visas). Consular officials will review activity across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn to evaluate eligibility and identify potential national security or public safety concerns. The State Department noted that “every visa adjudication is fundamentally a national security decision.” Applicants may also be required to declare social media identifiers used over the previous five years. This expansion builds upon existing ~~reviews~~ digital vetting protocols that already ~~required for~~ apply to other categories, such as H-1B workers, international students, ~~exchange visitors,~~ and ~~certain temporary workers.~~ exchange visitors. The Department of State stated the measure is intended to ~~facilitate identity verification and assess the admissibility of travelers,~~ help identify individuals who may be inadmissible due to potential risks to national or public security, ensuring that an applicant's intended purpose of travel aligns with visa requirements. The policy applies to new applicants during the consular process and does not affect current visa holders, tourists, or all immigrants.

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