The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has instructed Embassies and Consulates to begin accepting new F, M, and J student visa application appointments following a temporary suspension. The pause was initiated to allow DOS to implement policy changes regarding social media vetting. After the suspension, e F, M, and J student visa applicants are required to make their social media accounts public for vetting purposes.
In a DOS announcement, DOS will use all information available for “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 this new guidance, we 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.”
The new policy, following the Department of Heland Security’s decision to begin screening anti-Semitic online activity posted by foreign nationals is the latest in a series of protocols established by the Trump Administration.
For more information on F, M, and J student visa applications, contact info@enterimmi.com.
