US now demands new visa applications disclose all social media usernames to vet views on Trump and America
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
America now requires applications for nonimmigrant visa to furnish all social media usernames dating back five years to vet and prevent existing and potential terrorists and other criminals from entering the United States – in reality though, it also extends to views against Donald Trump and his onslaught on immigrants.
US embassies across the world announced this week that beginning June 2025, “Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the online nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160).”
The policy comes hot on the heels of the release of a new guideline by the US Department of State requiring all individuals applying for an F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visa to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate vetting to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under US law.
The primary aim is said to enhance national security by allowing US officials to assess the online activity of visa applicants and enable the State Department identify potential threats not likely to be detected through traditional background checks.
The policy applies globally to all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, meaning millions of students, scholars, and exchange visitors will need to comply with these new requirements every year.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the announcement said.
“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.”
The State Department temporarily paused issuing visas for foreign students at the end of May while it developed the new social media guidance, and it will now resume taking appointments.
International students are facing increasing uncertainty due to recent US immigration measures.
As part of Trump’s crackdown on immigration, the White House announced a travel ban and visa restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, effective June 9, and the State Department has paused scheduling new visa interviews for foreign students.
Those affected in new policy
All applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas.
The J nonimmigrant visa is the best known of these. It covers work in the US for a limited period, while its J1 iteration allows students and college graduates to enter the US during the summer for work and travel in the US.
An F nonimmigrant visa allows foreign nationals to enter the US temporarily to pursue academic studies at certain institutions. The M nonimmigrant visa is similar, covering education in non-academic, or vocational, fields such as technical or culinary pursuits.
The new measures do not affect Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visas.
But the new requirements are more far-ranging than previously, with the crackdown on social media accounts over the past five years likely to heighten concerns about individual liberty and free speech.
Social media handles or usernames are not necessarily the person’s real name, and may instead be used as an alias for their online profile.
US Embassy’s new guidance
The US embassies stressed in the statement that a visa “is a privilege, not a right” for travellers and that every visa decision is a “national security decision”.
The statement added: “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission ….
“The US Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security.
“Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.
“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public.’”
Read also:
