WASHINGTON, USA — The United States government has announced the resumption of visa application processing for international students, with a new condition requiring applicants to make their social media profiles public as part of enhanced vetting procedures.
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State confirmed that embassies and consulates will soon begin scheduling appointments for F (academic students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitors) nonimmigrant visas.
“Applicants should check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability,” the statement said.
The department outlined new guidance stipulating that student and exchange visitor visa applicants must adjust the privacy settings of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to enable comprehensive vetting.
“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’,” the statement read.
“If applicants fail to set their social media accounts to ‘public’, it could be seen as an attempt to conceal online activity and may impact their visa application.”
The department emphasised that this measure is intended to strengthen national security and ensure visa holders comply with the intended purposes of their stay.
“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,” it stated.
“All applicants must credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.”
The move follows a temporary suspension of student visa appointments introduced in May under the administration of President Donald Trump, which sought to tighten restrictions on applicants deemed potentially hostile to the U.S.
