By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE UNITED States government has announced the resumption of visa application processing for international students, with a new requirement mandating all applicants to make their social media profiles public.
In a statement released by the State Department, applicants seeking F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will now undergo expanded vetting procedures.
The department confirmed that consular posts will soon resume appointment scheduling and instructed students to monitor embassy websites for availability.
According to the updated guidance, the comprehensive screening process will include a review of each applicant’s online activity.
The department emphasised that private or restricted social media settings may be interpreted as attempts to conceal information and could adversely affect visa decisions.
The statement stressed that all international student and exchange visa applicants must adjust the privacy settings on every social media account to public visibility.
Officials noted that the new procedure is part of a broader national security approach aimed at ensuring that all visitors entering the country pose no threat to the American public or its interests.
President Donald Trump’s administration had previously halted student visa appointments in May, citing plans to enforce stricter immigration controls.
A classified cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructed US embassies and consulates to suspend new interview scheduling while awaiting further directives related to expanded social media screening.
The revised policy is expected to affect international student mobility, particularly applicants from Africa, including Nigeria, and institutions that depend on foreign student enrolment for significant revenue.
The move follows earlier revocations of foreign student visas without public explanation and aligns with existing executive orders aimed at enhancing national vetting measures.
Although the exact parameters of the online review have not been disclosed, the administration’s previous focus has included heightened scrutiny of students returning from protests and international engagements considered controversial by US authorities.
However, Harvard University remains among those reportedly facing increased pressure due to funding disputes and administrative audits.
