State Department Broadens Social Media Review for Visa Applicants

Key Point  

• The U.S. Department of State has announced that it will broaden its online presence review and vetting procedures to additional nonimmigrant visa categories starting March 30, 2026. 

U.S. Department of State Expands Screening and Vetting Requirements 

The U.S. Department of State announced that it will expand its online presence review and vetting procedures to additional non-immigrant visa categories beginning March 30, 2026. 

Key Points 

• The State Department will now require online presence review for applicants in the following visa classifications: 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. These categories are being added to the groups already subject to this review, including H‑1B and H‑4, and F, M and J student and exchange visitor applicants.  
• To support this expanded vetting, all applicants in these classifications must adjust their social media privacy settings to “public” or “open.”  
• The State Department emphasized that it uses all available information in visa screening to identify applicants who may be inadmissible or pose national security or public safety concerns, and it treats every visa adjudication as a national security decision.

Background 

The U.S. has increasingly incorporated online presence reviews into visa adjudications as part of broader national security measures. Prior expansions included F, M and J applicants in 2025, and H‑1B/H‑4 applicants earlier in 2026. The latest update significantly widens the scope of visa categories subject to this requirement. 

Who Is Affected 

Impacted foreign nationals include:

• Domestic worker and personal employee categories: A‑3, C‑3 (domestic worker), G‑5 
• Training and exchange categories: H‑3, Q, R‑1, R‑2 
• Family‑based fiancé(e) and spouse categories: K‑1, K‑2, K‑3 
• Humanitarian categories: S, T, U 
• Dependents: H‑4 dependents of H‑3 

Employers should expect additional documentation requests, longer processing times, and more detailed background questions for impacted employees. 

Envoy Global Insight

While consulates often continue processing visas regardless of privacy settings, employers and foreign nationals should be aware of this development and watch for emerging trends, such as 221(g) notices tied to social media reviews. Applicants can consult with their legal teams for more details if they receive such requests.

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