Effective October 1, the Department of State will broaden its online presence review to cover applicants in the following additional non-immigrant visa classifications: I (foreign media representatives), TN, and TD (USMCA professionals and their dependents). To support this vetting process, all applicants for I, TD, and TN non-immigrant visas are instructed to set the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” or “open.”

Today’s announcement expands application of vetting that already applies to the following visa categories:

• Diplomatic and Official Visas: A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5
• Students: F-1, M-1, F-2, M-2
• Temporary Workers and Trainees: H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependents of H1-B and H-3
• Exchange Visitors: J-1, J-2
• Fiancé and Dependents: K-1, K-2, K-3
• International Cultural Exchange Participants: Q
• Religious Occupations: R-1, R-2
• Witnesses, Informants, and Victims: S, T, U

The Department relies on every available source of information during visa screening and vetting to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to national security or public safety. We apply this rigorous vetting standard consistently across all visa applicants.

Every visa adjudication is fundamentally looked upon as a national security decision. The United States remains vigilant throughout the visa issuance process to confirm that applicants do not intend to cause harm to Americans or threaten U.S. interests, and that each applicant can credibly demonstrate eligibility for the visa requested—including a genuine intent to abide by the terms of admission. Receiving a U.S. visa remains a privilege granted at the government’s discretion, not an entitlement. A word to the wise to all to have your visa and immigration documentation current and organized and maintain a clean digital social platform persona.

A word to the wise to maintain close scrutiny of your online social presence and have all pertinent immigration documents organized and ready for presentation.