UAE students applying for US visa must keep social media public: What you need to know
Residents of the UAE applying for certain US visas are now required to make their social media accounts public, the US Embassy in the UAE recently announced. This new policy affects all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, who must adjust the privacy settings on their social media profiles to 'public' as part of the application process.
Stricter Vetting Amid Renewed Visa Appointments
The change comes as the United States increases scrutiny of visa applicants' online presence. This move follows the Trump administration's decision to resume student visa appointments, while simultaneously tightening social media vetting to identify any applicants who might pose a threat to US national interests.
According to an internal State Department cable dated June 18 and sent to US missions on June 25, consular officers are now mandated to conduct a 'comprehensive and thorough vetting' of all student and exchange visitor applicants.
This vetting aims to identify individuals who 'bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.'
In an official statement, the US mission in the UAE emphasized:
'A US visa is a privilege, not a right.'
Understanding the Visa Types: F, M, and J
F Visas: For academic studies at accredited institutions like universities or colleges.
M Visas: For vocational or non-academic training programs.
J Visas: Also known as
Exchange Visitor Visas
, these are for individuals participating in approved exchange programs that promote cultural and educational exchanges between the US and other countries. J-1 visa holders may take part in student, research, teaching, and work-based exchange programs.
Resuming Visa Applications with Caution
The US mission also noted that overseas posts will soon resume scheduling visa appointments for these categories. Applicants are advised to regularly check the embassy or consulate websites for appointment availability.
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This update follows a previous halt, when the Trump administration ordered a stop to new appointments for student and exchange visitor visas on May 27. The State Department underscored the importance of visa adjudication as a national security measure, stating:
'Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.
'
What the Vetting Process Involves
The new vetting guidelines require consular officers to review an applicant's entire online presence not limited to social media profiles. Officers are instructed to use 'any appropriate search engines or other online resources' to detect derogatory or suspicious information.
Due to the increased workload of this extensive vetting, the cable warned that there may be fewer appointments available for F, M, and J visa categories. It stated:
'Posts should consider overall scheduling volume and the resource demands of appropriate vetting; posts might need to schedule fewer FMJ cases than they did previously.'
Furthermore, priority will be given to expedited visa appointments for foreign-born physicians involved in medical programs through exchange visas and students applying to US universities where international students make up less than 15 percent of the total student body.
This detailed update was reported by Reuters, based on information from the US Embassy in the UAE and the internal State Department communications.
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