F, M, and J visa applicants must now allow U.S. consular officers to review their online activity
June 25, 2025 — After a brief pause, the U.S. State Department has resumed interviews for international students and exchange visitors applying for F, M, and J visas. However, applicants should be aware of a major change: U.S. consular officers are now required to conduct a comprehensive review of each applicant’s social media activity as part of the visa screening process.
According to a State Department directive issued June 18, visa applicants must ensure that their social media profiles are publicly accessible. Officers will be reviewing platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok for signs of what they describe as “hostility toward U.S. citizens, institutions, or founding principles.” Refusal to make profiles public may be interpreted as a red flag and could result in delays, or even denial of a visa. This expanded digital screening is part of a broader policy shift aimed at enhancing national security protocols.
The State Department has reportedly directed consular posts to give priority to student visa applicants attending schools where international students comprise less than 15% of the overall student population—a policy that could disadvantage students admitted to nearly 200 U.S. universities, including all Ivy League institutions and many major public research universities.
Key Takeaways:
• All social media accounts must be made public during the visa process. • Online posts, affiliations, and past activity may be reviewed for political content or perceived anti-U.S. sentiment.
• Students at large international institutions may face longer waits for appointments. • Scholars and researchers will undergo the same level of scrutiny as students.
It is recommended that all student and scholar visa applicants carefully review their online presence prior to applying.
