The U.S. Department of State has announced an expansion of its online presence and social media review for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants beginning October 1, 2026.
The new expansion will add applicants for I visas (foreign media representatives), TN visas, and TD dependent visas to the categories subject to enhanced online presence review. The Department of State is instructing applicants in these categories to set their social media profiles to “public” or “open” as part of the vetting process.
This type of review is already being applied to several visa categories important to Indian applicants, including:
- F-1 and M-1 students
- F-2 and M-2 dependents
- H-1B temporary workers
- H-4 dependents
- J-1 exchange visitors
- J-2 dependents
- Certain fiancé, religious-worker and other visa classifications.
According to the Department of State, online information may be considered as part of the overall visa-screening process to determine whether an applicant meets the requirements for the visa being requested.
What Indian Visa Applicants Should Know
Applicants should make sure that information provided in their visa application is accurate and consistent with their education, employment, travel history and other information available to consular officers.
Applicants should also follow instructions from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling their case, because visa procedures and document requirements may change.
The expanded policy takes effect October 1, 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of State, September 18, 2026.
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