If you’re planning to travel to the United States, make sure to check the privacy settings of your social media accounts.
The US has introduced a major change to strengthen its visa screening process. Under the new rule, travelers going to the US must keep their social media accounts public.
Social Media Accounts Must Be Public
The US has made it mandatory for all applicants of F, M, and J category non-immigrant visas to keep their social media profiles public.
This rule has been implemented immediately. The purpose of this step is to allow authorities to verify the applicant’s identity
and check if they are eligible to enter the US as per American laws. This information has been shared by the US Embassy in India.
What the Embassy Said
The US Embassy posted on social media platform ‘X’: “With immediate effect, all applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas are required to make all social media account privacy settings public.
This will help in the necessary verification of their identity and eligibility to enter the United States under US laws.”
The next part of the post reads: “Since 2019, the United States has been asking visa applicants to share social media details for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. We use all available information during visa screening to identify applicants who may be ineligible or could be a threat to US national security.”
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What Are F, M, and J Category Visas?
F, M, and J visas are common non-immigrant visas for foreign nationals who go to the US for studies or exchange programs. The F visa is for academic students.
The M visa is for those enrolled in vocational or technical training. The J visa is meant for interns, scholars, researchers, and participants of exchange programs.
