BIG NEWS FOR ASPIRING U.S. STUDENTS: VISA PROCESSING RESUMES WITH NEW SOCIAL MEDIA SCRUTINY
- Joice M. Jose MSW, GDTAS, RMA, NZLIA
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Great news for international students aiming to study in the U.S.! After a temporary pause, U.S. Student Visa processing has officially restarted, bringing much-anticipated relief to countless applicants hoping to begin their programs this fall. However, this resumption comes with a significant new requirement: all F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applicants are now requested to immediately set their social media accounts to "public."
Why this change?
Every visa adjudication is considered a national security decision. By making your social media profiles publicly accessible, you facilitate the vetting process necessary to establish your identity and admissibility to the United States. Consular officers will be reviewing your online presence for any information that might indicate hostility towards U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, as well as any signs of extremist views or other inadmissible activities.
What This Means for Your Fall 2025 U.S. Bound Students:
Visa appointment scheduling is back on track: The temporary freeze on scheduling new student visa interviews has been lifted. This means you can now proceed with booking those vital appointments. Keep a close eye on your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for specific availability and instructions.
Students should prepare to adjust their social media privacy settings: This is the most significant change. All F-1 (academic students) M-1 (vocational students) and J-1 (exchange visitors) visa applicants will need to ensure their social media profiles (across various platforms) are set to "public" for the duration of the visa process. This allows consular officers to review online activity as part of the enhanced security vetting. It's crucial for students to review their online presence and ensure it aligns with their stated intentions for studying in the U.S. Avoid deleting accounts or making sudden, drastic changes, as this could raise suspicion.
Fall 2025 intake remains viable: Despite the recent pause and the new social media requirement, the Fall 2025 intake remains a strong possibility for students planning to study in the U.S. The re-opening of appointments provides the necessary window for processing.
Early preparation is more important than ever: With these new guidelines, proactive preparation is paramount. Students should not only gather all necessary academic and financial documents but also dedicate time to reviewing their social media profiles. Ensuring accounts are public and that content is appropriate and professional will be key to a smooth application process.
Actionable Steps for F, M, and J Visa Applicants:
1. Audit Your Accounts: Before you even think about applying for your visa, take the time to review all your social media accounts. Identify every platform you have a presence on, even if you don't use it frequently.
2. Adjust Privacy Settings: For each identified account, navigate to the privacy settings and change them from private or friends-only to public. Familiarize yourself with how each platform handles these settings.
3. Content Review: Be mindful of the content you have publicly available. While the intent is identity verification, it's always wise to ensure your public profiles present a professional and accurate reflection of yourself.
4. Consistency is Key: Ensure the information across your social media profiles is consistent with the details provided in your visa application. Discrepancies could lead to delays or further scrutiny.
5. New Accounts: If you create any new social media accounts between your application and visa interview, remember to apply the same public setting.
The landscape of visa requirements can change. Always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website or the website of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding F, M, and J visa applications. By proactively adjusting your social media privacy settings, you can help ensure a smoother and more efficient process for your U.S. student or exchange visitor visa application.
We're here to help! If you need any professional assistance don't hesitate to reach out to the Fortune Immigration and Education team, led by Joice M. Jose, Australian Registered Migration Agent (MARN:2318264) and New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser (NZLIA # 201100295).
Contact us today:
Phone/Mobile/WhatsApp/Botim: +61 432 847 291
Disclaimer: This article is valid only at the time of initial publication and is subject to change. The content does not constitute legal advice or recommendations and should not be relied upon as such. Always seek legal and professional immigration or education advice as your situation may differ from the general guidelines provided.
