- Warns On Social Media Accounts
By Abiola Olawale
The United States’ State Department has announced the resumption of student visa processing for international applicants, ending a month-long suspension that left thousands in limbo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the State Department, which said that as a key requirement, applicants must make their social media accounts public for vetting.
The new directive, outlined in a State Department cable, mandated that applicants for F, M, and J visas set their social media accounts to “public” to allow consular officers to comb through their online activity.
The State Department added that if applicants fail to set their social media accounts to ‘public’, it could be seen as an attempt to conceal online activity and may impact their visa application.
The statement reads in part: “Our overseas posts will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. Applicants should check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability.
“Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.
“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’.
“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.”
