The U.S. Department of State has mandated that visa applicants provide their social media usernames used in the past five years on application forms DS-160 (nonimmigrant visas) and DS-260 (immigrant visas). This policy aims to enhance national security by allowing consular officers to review applicants’ online presence for potential security threats.
As of April 2025, the U.S. government has expanded this scrutiny. Immigration authorities now actively review public social media posts for content deemed extremist or affiliated with flagged groups. This includes applicants for student visas (F-1, J-1, M), work visas (H-1B), green cards, and even tourists.
travel.
