US requires visa applications to reveal all social media usernames from past 5 years

Effective June 2025, individuals applying for F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visas to the United States are now mandated to disclose all social media usernames they have used over the past five years. This new requirement, announced by U.S. embassies, also stipulates that applicants must set the privacy settings of all their social media accounts to "public" to enable thorough vetting.

The U.S. State Department implemented these guidelines to bolster national security by allowing officials to scrutinize applicants' online activities. The goal is to identify potential threats that might not be detected through traditional background checks. This policy applies globally, impacting millions of students, scholars, and exchange visitors annually.

Embassies have emphasized that all information provided in visa applications must be truthful and accurate. Failing to disclose social media information or attempting to conceal activity could lead to visa denial and future ineligibility. Consular officers will be looking for signs of hostility towards the U.S., its citizens, culture, government, or founding principles, as well as advocacy for terrorist groups or unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence. They will also consider any behavior that suggests a lack of credibility or an intent to violate visa rules.

The State Department had temporarily halted the issuance of visas for foreign students in late May to develop these new social media guidelines. Visa appointments are now resuming, though applicants are advised to check embassy and consulate websites for availability, as the enhanced screening may lead to fewer appointments.

This move is part of broader U.S. immigration measures that have increased uncertainty for international students, including a new travel ban and visa restrictions on nationals from 19 countries that became effective on June 9. The new social media vetting applies to both new and returning applicants, and officials are instructed to review applicants' "entire online presence," not just social media, taking screenshots of any concerning material.