Effective March 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will expand its online presence review requirement to include applicants for the following visa categories: A-3, C-3 (domestic workers), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, and U visas. This requirement is already in place for all H1-B applicants and their H-4 dependents, as well as for students and exchange visitors in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories. 

To facilitate this review, applicants in these categories will be required to ensure that the privacy settings on all social media profiles are set to “public” so that visa officers can review online activities as part of their visa vetting processes.   

The U.S. Department of State conducts screening and vetting of visa applicants to confirm eligibility for admission to the United States. As part of this process, applicants are required to demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the visa requested and that their intended activities align with the terms of their admission.  

Pursuant to the initial announcement issued on June 18, 2025, U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed to thoroughly vet applicants for any indications of “hostile attitudes toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.” As part of this enhanced vetting process, consular officers review an applicant’s entire online presence. Since the online presence review was implemented, applicants have reported delays in visa issuance; therefore, individuals should plan ahead and account for potential processing delays. 

If you or someone you know may be affected by this expanded screening process, we encourage you to contact immigration counsel to discuss your legal options and next steps. Immigration policies and procedures are evolving rapidly.   

Foster LLP will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates through our website at www.fosterglobal.com.