Gladness Gideon
The United States government has announced the resumption of its student visa application process, with a new requirement mandating applicants to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for security vetting.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State, the government said the decision is part of expanded measures to strengthen national security and ensure that foreign students entering the country do not pose a threat to public safety.
“All applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will now be required to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to public,” the statement said, adding that the move is to facilitate “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of student and exchange visitor applicants.
The latest directive comes after the U.S. temporarily suspended the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students in May. With the updated policy, visa services for international students and exchange visitors will soon resume across U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department emphasized, stating that visa adjudication is a critical national security function. “We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting process, including online presence, to identify applicants who are inadmissible or pose a security threat.”
Applicants are urged to regularly check the websites of their respective U.S. embassies or consulates for updates on appointment scheduling and processing timelines.
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The statement further reiterated the importance of intent verification, noting that visa seekers must credibly prove their eligibility and demonstrate plans to engage in activities that align with their visa terms.
This move is expected to affect thousands of aspiring international students globally, including Nigerians, who represent Africa’s largest student population in the U.S. With approximately 20,000 Nigerian students currently enrolled in American institutions, Nigeria ranks 17th globally as a source of international students.
While the new social media vetting policy may raise concerns among privacy advocates, U.S. authorities argue that the added layer of scrutiny is necessary to safeguard national interests in an evolving global threat landscape.