Student, exchange visitor visa applicants must make social media accounts public – US

The United States Embassy in Georgetown has issued a public notice informing all applicants for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas that they are now required to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public” with immediate effect.
The directive, published on the Embassy’s official social media platforms on Wednesday, applies specifically to individuals seeking student and exchange visitor visas. According to the Embassy, the measure is aimed at facilitating the vetting process necessary to verify an applicant’s identity and determine their admissibility under US immigration laws.
The F visa is issued to academic students, the M visa to vocational students, and the J visa to individuals participating in approved exchange programs, including scholars, interns, and au pairs.
While the Embassy did not provide additional detail regarding the scope of review or specific platforms to be made public, the notice emphasizes that the requirement is part of routine processing to ensure compliance with U.S. security and immigration protocols.
Applicants are encouraged to review the updated guidelines on the US Department of State’s official website or contact the Embassy for further clarification.
A similar notice was issued by US embassies across the Caribbean.