- The US Department of State is expanding social media screening to three additional nonimmigrant visa categories from October 1, 2026: I, TN and TD
- Applicants in the newly added categories are required to make their social media profiles public to support visa screening, according to the announcement described in the report
- The expansion adds to existing checks covering students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, religious workers and other visa applicants
The United States Department of State is expanding its social media screening programme to cover more foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas.
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Under the reported changes, effective October 1, 2026, the additional screening applies to applicants for I visas, issued to eligible foreign media representatives, and TN visas, available to certain professionals from Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Their eligible dependants applying for TD visas are also included.
The expansion means more applicants will face online presence checks as part of the US visa vetting process.
Social Media Profiles Must Be Set to Public
Under the new requirements, applicants for I, TN and TD nonimmigrant visas must change the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to “public” or “open.”
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The US Department of State says the requirement supports its screening and vetting process, which uses available information to assess applicants' eligibility for visas and identify potential national security or public safety concerns.
The I visa category covers eligible foreign media representatives, while TN visas are available to qualifying Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA. TD visas cover eligible dependants of TN visa holders.
Applicants should review their privacy settings before proceeding with their visa applications.
Eight Groups of Visa Categories Already Subject to Screening
The October 2026 expansion builds on social media vetting requirements that already cover eight groups of nonimmigrant visa classifications. According to the Department of State, these include:
- Diplomatic and official visas: A-3, C-3 (for domestic workers) and G-5.
- Student visas: F-1, M-1, F-2 and M-2.
- Temporary workers and trainees: H-1B, H-3 and H-4 dependants of H-1B and H-3 holders.
- Exchange visitor visas: J-1 and J-2.
- Fiancé and dependant visas: K-1, K-2 and K-3.
- International cultural exchange participants: Q visas.
- Religious occupations: R-1 and R-2.
- Witnesses, informants and victims: S, T and U visas.
The addition of I, TN and TD visas broadens the scope of the US government's online presence reviews beyond students, temporary workers and exchange visitors to include foreign media professionals and eligible USMCA professionals and their dependants.
What the New Rules Mean for Visa Applicants
The expanded screening does not mean that every applicant in the affected categories will automatically be denied a visa because of a social media post. Rather, online presence reviews form part of the wider visa screening and eligibility assessment.
Applicants should ensure their application information is accurate, review their social media privacy settings and consult official guidance before their visa appointments.
The Department of State's announcement was published on September 18, 2026, with the expanded requirements taking effect on October 1, 2026.
Source: Legit.ng
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