On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance implementing expanded screening and vetting procedures for nonimmigrant visa applicants, including F-1 and J-1 student categories. These changes are part of broader efforts to enhance national security and ensure thorough review of applicants’ backgrounds prior to visa issuance.
What is the new guidance?
Expanded Online Presence Screening and Vetting
Consular officers will begin conducting a comprehensive review of applicants’ publicly available online presence. This includes using all available online information in the visa screening and vetting process, for example, social media, search engine results, media coverage, and other open-source information. Content indicating support for terrorism, antisemitism, or hostility toward the United States may result in visa ineligibility.
Mandatory Disclosure and Public Access to Social Media Accounts
To facilitate the visa review and screening process, nonimmigrant visa applicants will be required to provide details about all of their online social media profiles used within the past five years. Individuals will also be instructed to set the privacy settings on these accounts to “public” which done in advance of the visa interview could help move the process along.
Additional Administrative Processing
Many F-1 and J-1 applicants could be issued a temporary visa denial under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), pending further administrative processing. This additional step is intended to allow time for the visa officer to review additional information, including the expanded screening of social media, before a final visa decision.
Resumption of Student Visa Appointments
Consular posts have been directed to resume scheduling visa interviews as of June 18, 2025. Students applying for a visa may experience limited or no appointment availability during the early weeks while this new process is introduced. Review visa appointment wait times to help with planning and check for visa appointments frequently as times will get added.