US Resumes Foreign Student Visa Processing, Mandates Social Media Access

The United States has announced the resumption of student visa processing for foreign nationals, a process that had been temporarily suspended.

However, applicants will now face an additional requirement: mandatory disclosure of their social media activity.

According to the U.S. Department of State, this new measure is part of an expanded effort to strengthen screening and vetting procedures for visa applicants. As part of this initiative, all applicants must now provide access to their social media accounts.

The visa scheduling pause, which began in May, had halted new interview appointments for international students planning to study in the U.S. With this latest update, the department confirmed that the process is being resumed with added security measures.

A spokesperson for the department emphasized the discretionary nature of U.S. visas, stating, “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.

“Under new guidance, the department will conduct a comprehensive and thorough 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 department also noted that U.S. embassies and consulates abroad will soon begin rescheduling appointments for F, M, and J visa categories.

Reaffirming its commitment to national safety, the department stated it was committed to protecting the nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through its visa process.

Applicants are advised to consult the websites of the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate for updates on appointment availability.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the statement stressed.

“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,” it said.

The statement further emphasized that applicants must credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sort, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.

Nigeria remains the top African country sending international students to the United States, with approximately 20,000 Nigerian students currently enrolled in U.S. institutions, placing the country 17th globally.

(NAN)