The US consulates in Karachi and Lahore have asked all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas to make their social media accounts public. This new instruction is part of a tighter vetting process launched by the US government. The announcement came after the US Embassy in Delhi issued a similar directive earlier this week.
The decision follows an internal cable from the US State Department, dated June 18. It ordered all consular officers to carry out thorough vetting of visa applicants. The aim is to identify individuals who may hold hostile views towards the US or its institutions. This move is part of US President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration checks.
In Instagram posts, the US consulates explained that making social media profiles public is now a required step. Applicants must change their privacy settings so officials can review accounts for identity and eligibility checks. They warned that failure to provide complete social media information could result in visa denial and even future ineligibility.
Since 2019, applicants have been required to list their social media account handles on visa forms. Now, transparency is being taken a step further by requiring public access to those profiles. This rule applies to all F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visa types.
Earlier, in May, the Trump administration had temporarily stopped scheduling new student and exchange visa appointments. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said new guidelines would be issued following a full policy review. The current move reflects a shift towards more detailed digital scrutiny for those seeking to study or visit the US.