Since May 27, 2025, U.S. consular posts abroad have paused scheduling visa appointments for Students and Exchange Visitors, particularly those seeking to enter the U.S. in F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa status. On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued guidance to U.S. consular posts requiring them to conduct expanded social media screening for anyone applying for an F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa to enter the U.S. These are to be implemented by Monday, June 23, 2025. We have reports that interview scheduling has just resumed.
Consular officers must now review the online presence of student and exchange visitor applicants for “hostile” attitudes, advocacy for terrorism or other threats to U.S. national security, unlawful anti-semitic harassment or violence, any grounds of inadmissibility, inconsistencies that may call into question the intent of the visit, credibility, or prior unauthorized work in the U.S. Online presence is not limited to social media. This applies to new visa applications and renewals – regardless of whether they would have required an interview or received an interview waiver.
After initially determining eligibility, consular officers are required to refuse the case under INA 221(g) to conduct additional screening. Each visa applicant will be required to set all social media accounts to “public.” Limited access to or visibility of online presence can be construed as evasion. The consular officer interviewing the visa applicant will conduct this expanded screening.
If no derogatory information is found, the case can be completed. If derogatory information is found, the consular officer should refuse the case, and if needed, call the applicant for a follow-up interview. The officer may also refer the case to the Fraud Prevention Unit
Clark Lau LLC provides this information for educational purposes only. Please consult your immigration attorney regarding the specifics of your circumstances to see whether the above impacts you.