The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced that it will expand its online presence review and social media vetting procedures to additional nonimmigrant visa categories beginning October 1, 2026 (Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants) . Under the new policy, applicants seeking TN, TD, and I visas will now be subject to enhanced screening measures as part of the visa adjudication process.  

According to DOS, applicants in these visa categories will be instructed to set the privacy settings on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate government review during the visa application process. DOS states that the expanded screening is intended to support national security vetting and ensure applicants are eligible for the visa classification requested.  

Background 

The Department of State has gradually expanded social media screening requirements in recent years. According to the announcement, similar vetting measures already apply to numerous visa categories, including F, M, J, H, K, Q, R, S, T, and U visa applicants, among others. See Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants – Foster Global 

Effective October 1, TN professionals, their TD dependents, and I visa applicants will be added to the list of classifications subject to online presence review.  

DOS emphasized that visa issuance remains discretionary, and that information from social media and other available sources may be reviewed as part of the overall adjudication process.  

What Employers and Foreign Nationals Should Expect 

Employers sponsoring TN professionals and individuals applying for TN, TD, or I visas should anticipate: 

• Increased scrutiny during visa interviews and adjudications. 
• Review of publicly available social media content for consistency with information provided in visa applications and supporting documentation. 
• Potential requests for clarification when information discovered online appears inconsistent with a visa applicant’s stated purpose of travel, employment, qualifications, or immigration history. 
• Longer adjudication timelines in some cases as consular officers conduct additional vetting activities. 

While DOS has not announced substantive changes to eligibility requirements for TN, TD, or I visa classifications, the expanded vetting process may create additional considerations for applicants preparing for visa appointments. 

Recommended Best Practices 

Foreign nationals should review their online presence well in advance of any visa interview and ensure that information publicly available on social media is accurate and consistent with their immigration filings and employment documentation. Applicants should also be prepared for the possibility that consular officers may review social media activity as part of the adjudication process. 

Employers may wish to remind sponsored employees of the importance of maintaining consistency across professional profiles, resumes, employer webpages, and visa application materials. Any discrepancies between public information and submitted documentation could result in additional questioning or processing delays. 

Foster LLP Takeaways 

Although the announcement does not alter the legal requirements for obtaining TN, TD, or I visas, it represents another expansion of the government’s use of social media and online presence reviews during visa adjudications. Individuals planning visa applications or renewals after October 1, 2026, should prepare accordingly and allow additional time for potential security screening. 

Foster LLP will continue to monitor implementation of this policy and provide updates as additional guidance becomes available via Immigration Updates©, articles, and blogs on our website at www.fosterglobal.com. Employers with employees seeking TN, TD, or I visas should consult immigration counsel regarding case-specific considerations and timing strategies.