WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States government has resumed the suspended process of issuing student visas to foreign applicants, but with a significant new requirement: applicants must now grant access to their social media profiles as part of a broader security vetting process.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State, all applicants seeking F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas—used for academic, vocational, and exchange programs—must make their social media accounts public for review by consular officials.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the department said. “We are committed to protecting the nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
The move follows a temporary suspension in May of new interview appointments for student visas. The department has now confirmed that embassies and consulates around the world will begin rescheduling appointments for F, M, and J visa categories in the coming weeks.
Applicants are advised to monitor the websites of their local U.S. embassies or consulates for updates on appointment availability.
The department reiterated that a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. “We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” it stated.
With this new policy, visa applicants will be required to adjust privacy settings on all social media platforms to allow visibility of their online activities during the vetting process.
Nigeria remains the leading African country of origin for international students in the U.S., with about 20,000 Nigerian students currently enrolled in American institutions—placing the country 17th globally.
