By Ayo Kehinde
The United States Government has announced the resumption of its student visa application process, with a new requirement mandating that applicants make their social media profiles publicly accessible for security vetting.
The U.S. temporarily suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students in May.
However, a statement by the U.S. Department of State said the decision is part of expanded measures to strengthen national security and ensure that foreign students entering the country do not pose a threat to public safety.
Consequently, “All applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas will now be required to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to public”. This directive is to facilitate “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of student and exchange visitor applicants.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right”, the State Department emphasised, stating that visa adjudication is a critical national security function.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting process, including online presence, to identify applicants who are inadmissible or pose a security threat”, it added.
Applicants are urged to regularly check the websites of their respective U.S. embassies or consulates for updates on appointment scheduling and processing timelines.
The statement further reiterated the importance of intent verification, noting that visa seekers must credibly prove their eligibility and demonstrate plans to engage in activities that align with their visa terms.
