US visa applicants must adjust privacy settings on all social media profiles to 'public'
One of them is an expanded screening and vetting process for visa applicants.
This will require all applicants for F, M and J non-immigrant visas to adjust the privacy settings on all social media profiles to “public”.
Foreign student advocates and immigration attorneys have expressed worry that the new social media monitoring system will amount to an “ideological litmus test,” possibly penalising applicants for their political views or expressions.
The United States Department of State has said 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.”
Waiving of interviews
According to the US Department of State, a revision to the categories of applicants that may be eligible to have their interviews waived is expected to be in place from September 2, 2025. The Department has further advised of the following:
All non-immigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer except:
- Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1;
- Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and
- Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (for Mexican nationals) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance.
For information related to these changes and further updates on changes implemented by the United States Government, persons are invited to visit the following sites:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/interview-waiver-update-july-25-2025.html
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10 Responses to “US visa applicants must adjust privacy settings on all social media profiles to 'public'”
Do the research, before you rudely and crudely call someone else an AB.