The US State Department has announced a new policy requiring foreign students to grant access to their social media profiles for scrutiny by US diplomats in order to obtain educational and exchange visas. Failure to comply may raise suspicions of concealing online activity from US officials. The guidance instructs diplomats to review online presence for any signs of hostility towards US values and to flag support for foreign terrorists, antisemitic behavior, or threats to national security.

Critics argue that the screening for antisemitic activity aligns with similar measures at US Citizenship and Immigration Services and is seen as an attempt to suppress opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The directive primarily targets applicants for F, M, and J visas related to academic, vocational education, and cultural exchanges. The Trump administration’s recent pause on issuing new education visas coincided with the development of these social media vetting procedures, particularly focusing on Chinese students amid trade tensions.

Diplomatic posts are now able to resume visa interview scheduling, but all F, M, and J visa applicants must adjust their social media privacy settings to ‘public’ to facilitate comprehensive vetting. The State Department emphasizes that this enhanced social media scrutiny is crucial for ensuring the thorough screening of all individuals seeking entry into the United States. This initiative is framed as a step towards enhancing national security and aligns with efforts to modernize visa application processes.