Key Points
- The United States resumed F, M, and J visa appointments starting June 23, 2025
- New policy mandates public social media profiles and online activity review
- Consular officers are instructed to conduct enhanced screening for derogatory content
- Priority will be given to J-1 physicians and F-1 students at universities with <15% international enrollment
Resumption of Student Visa Appointments with Enhanced Online Vetting
On June 18, 2025, the United States Department of State announced that visa appointments for student visas could resume following enhanced vetting of applicants’ online presence. This applies to applicants for F, M, and J visas. Applicants for these visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings of their social media accounts to public. Consular officers are to look for “potentially derogatory information” and “indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the US” as well as evidence of “advocacy for, aid of or support for designated terrorists and other threats to US national security; or of support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence.” This is justified as necessary to carry out Executive Order 14161 and Executive Order 14188.
Consular Guidance and Review Process
Further guidance to consular officers includes initially refusing visa applications under INA 221(g) for further review and consideration. The review will be conducted by the same officer who conducts the interview and will include any part of the applicants’ online presence, not limited to social media. Consulates were to have implemented the changes by June 23, 2025, and were instructed to publicize these vetting procedures on relevant websites. Consulates have also been asked to limit appointments for F, M, and J visas as necessary to complete the enhanced review and to prioritize J-1 physicians and F-1 students enrolled at universities where international students comprise less than 15% of the student body.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. If you want guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and are a client of the Corporate Immigration Partners, PC, consult your attorney. If you are not a CIP client, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with CIP.
