New Visa Screening Rules: What International Students Need to Know
Stricter Screening, But Student Visa Interviews Are Back
As of this week, the U.S. State Department has reopened visa interview appointments for international students after a brief pause. This is great news for students planning to begin or return to their studies in the U.S. However, there is an important update: all F, M, and J visa applicants must now make their social media accounts public for review as part of the application process.
According to U.S. officials, this new rule is intended to help consular officers assess whether an applicant may pose a national security concern. This includes checking for any public support of terrorism, antisemitism, or violent ideologies. While this may feel invasive to some, the policy is now a required part of the process.
What Are Officers Looking For?
When reviewing social media, consular officials are focusing on whether students have:
Posted or shared content that promotes terrorism or extremist views
Expressed support for antisemitic violence or hatred
Spoken aggressively against U.S. institutions or allies
It is not about political disagreement or criticism alone. The concern is around content that signals possible threats to public safety or promotes violence.
How This Might Affect You
Your social media accounts must be public during the visa application process.
Even older posts could be reviewed, so it is wise to go through your accounts and remove anything that could be misunderstood.
If your accounts are private or restricted, you may face delays or even denial of your visa.
Students who already have valid visas are not affected — this applies to new applicants and renewals.
Some visa processing times may be longer because of the manual review required, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
What You Should Do Now
1. Review your social media accounts
Take time to review your social media and ensure that it accurately reflects your goals, values, and the spirit of cultural exchange. Avoid posts that could be misunderstood or taken out of context.
2. Make your profiles public
This includes platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WeChat, and others.
3. Apply early
Due to possible delays, the sooner you begin the application process, the better.
4. Stay calm and prepared
This process may feel more intense, but most students who follow the steps and stay transparent are approved without issue.
ACEE Is Here to Help
At ACEE, we understand that visa changes can cause stress, especially when you’ve worked so hard to prepare for your academic journey. That’s why our team is ready to support you. Our community is built on supporting students like you as you transition to studying and living in the U.S.
