Overview

• The State Department has resumed visa interviews for F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants under new guidelines requiring public access to all social media accounts.
• Consular officers will review applicants’ posts for signs of hostility toward the United States, support for terrorist groups or engagement in antisemitic harassment.
• Failure to grant public access to social media profiles may be treated as an attempt to conceal disqualifying content and result in visa refusal.
• The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, covers both first-time and renewal applications for student, exchange visitor and au pair visas and takes effect immediately.
• University officials and rights advocates warn the policy may deter legitimate political speech and complicate planning for the upcoming academic year.