All applicants for US non-immigrant student and exchange visitor visas must now set their social media accounts to public, the US Embassy in the Philippines announced Tuesday.
In an advisory posted on its social media accounts, the US Embassy said the rule covers individuals applying for F, M, or J visas, which are typically used for educational or cultural exchange purposes. F and M visas are for students, while the J visa is for exchange visitors.
In the statement, the embassy said that they are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public “to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”
The US has required visa applicants to disclose their social media identifiers since 2019. The latest move updates the process by now asking applicants to make these profiles viewable to consular officers.
The embassy added that consular officers use all available information when screening visa applicants. This includes checking for posts or messages that may be viewed as hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions, or founding principles.
According to the embassy, this step helps determine whether an applicant is eligible to enter the U.S. and whether they pose any security risk.