UAE students applying for US visa will now have to make social media accounts public
All applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'.
The move comes after the US ramped up vetting of social media accounts as President Donald Trump's administration ordered the resumption of student visa appointments but said it will significantly tighten its social media vetting in a bid to "identify any applicants who may be hostile towards the United States".
US consular officers are now required to conduct a "comprehensive and thorough vetting" of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who "bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles," according to an internal State Department cable, which was dated June 18 and sent to US missions on Wednesday, June 25.
In its statement, the US mission said it will be conducting thorough monitoring, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.
"A US visa is a privilege, not a right," read a part of the statement.
Visas explained
F and M visas are both student visas for studying in the US, but they cater to different types of educational pursuits. The F visa is for academic studies at an accredited institution like a university or college, while the M visa is for vocational or non-academic studies.
Meanwhile, the J visa, also known as the Exchange Visitor Visa, is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals participating in approved exchange visitor programmes in the US. These programs are designed to promote cultural and educational exchange between the US and other countries. J-1 visa holders can participate in programmes that include student, research, teaching, and work-based exchanges.
Applications to resume
The mission further added that its overseas posts will resume scheduling these visa applications soon. Applicants have been urged to check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability.
This comes after the Trump administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants on May 27.
"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," it further added.
What will be monitored?
The new vetting process should include a review of the applicant's entire online presence and not just social media activity, the State Department cable said, urging officers to use any "appropriate search engines or other online resources".
During the vetting, the directive asks officers to look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant.
Fewer appointments?
While the new directive allows posts to resume scheduling for student and exchange visa applicants, it is warning the officers that there may have to be fewer appointments due to the demands of more extensive vetting.
"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," the cable said, referring to the relevant visa types.
The directive has also asked posts to prioritise among expedited visa appointments of foreign-born physicians participating in a medical programme through exchange visas, as well as student applicants looking to study in a US university where international students constitute less than 15 per cent of the total.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Egypt: El-Sisi reviews latest developments on petrochemical, mining projects
Arab Finance: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized the importance of petrochemical and mining projects implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Spokesman for the Presidency Mohamed El-Shennawy stated. During a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and several ministers, President El-Sisi highlighted that these projects contribute to increasing the added value of Egypt's natural and mineral resources, while meeting the needs of the local market and exporting abroad. The projects also help in expanding related industries, which secures job opportunities and maximizes returns to the national economy. Hence, the president affirmed the need to accelerate the localization of related industries in Egypt and attract investment in this vital sector. As for the industrial projects, President El-Sisi reviewed the availability of raw materials needed for the industrial process and discussed ways to secure the necessary financing. He also highlighted efforts to enter into partnerships with major specialized international companies, scaling products locally as well as globally. The meeting gathered Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib, and Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir. © 2025 All Rights Reserved Arab Finance For Information Technology Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Trump's strategy for Middle East 'peace' is built on Israeli dominance. It will fail
The Trump administration is attempting to reshape the Middle East after launching strikes on Iran last month, adopting a strategy characterised by "peace through strength" and "commerce, not chaos". While this approach is presented as pragmatic, it risks destabilising the region in favour of maximising US and Israeli military and economic advantage. President Donald Trump considers himself an "expert dealmaker", believing that calculated military strikes create leverage for diplomatic gains - particularly by pressuring Iran back to the negotiating table. His strategy emphasises overwhelming but short-term military force to achieve defined goals, avoiding prolonged entanglements or "forever wars". It also marks a rejection of nation-building, shifting the burden of regional stability onto local partners. Though the strategic value of Middle Eastern energy resources has declined for the US, the region remains crucial - perhaps even more so under the current administration. As Med This Week reports, three primary factors shape recent US actions. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The first is the ideological alliance between far-right governments in the US and Israel, which transcends the traditional "special relationship" and reflects a deeper political and strategic alignment. The administration also views Israeli hegemony as a vehicle for regional stability, envisioning a dominant "Greater Israel", backed by overwhelming US support, capable of unilaterally enforcing peace and marginalising Iran. At its core, the Trump doctrine envisions a Greater Israel, backed by US power, enforcing peace and sidelining Iran Finally, personal financial interests - particularly those of Trump and his family - were prominently on display during his recent Gulf visit. The immediate objective of the 12-day war was to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump declared key sites "destroyed" or "shut down", hailing the campaign as a critical blow against a perceived existential threat. (A recent US intelligence report found that only one of the three targeted nuclear facilities was completely destroyed, with the others expected to be operational again within months.) These military operations have significantly reshaped regional power dynamics, pushing forward the Trump administration's regional strategy: normalising relations between Israel and Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, and potentially extending to Oman, Indonesia, Qatar and even Syria. Yet this pursuit of realignment remains constrained by Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. A ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages are seen as prerequisites for advancing and expanding normalisation. Israel: A hegemonic power? The US has demonstrated its willingness to act unilaterally with overwhelming force - particularly through the use of "bunker-buster" bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. This was portrayed as a show of unmatched American might, aimed not only at Iran but also as a deterrent to rivals like China and Russia. America's costly backing for Israel is enabling China's unstoppable rise Read More » Meanwhile, Israel has sought to project itself as a formidable military force with deep intelligence reach into Iran's nuclear and security infrastructure. Some Israeli officials have even claimed the country has joined the ranks of global powers, though the strikes, which killed large numbers of civilians, have drawn widespread criticism and raised questions about the legitimacy of such claims. Yet the question remains: can Israel truly become a hegemonic power in the region? Despite its recent operations and short-term tactical gains, Israel faces structural and political barriers to sustained dominance. It remains heavily reliant on US military, diplomatic and economic support. Deep-rooted regional conflicts persist, particularly the unresolved Palestinian issue, which continues to inflame public opinion and obstruct meaningful diplomatic engagement. Key regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt are unlikely to accept Israeli expansionism or hegemony. Meanwhile, Iran's political will to pursue its nuclear ambitions appears undiminished, with some analysts suggesting that the recent strikes may ultimately accelerate, rather than deter, its nuclear development. Iran's leadership, especially Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is unlikely to negotiate from a position of perceived weakness. The recent military escalation follows the US "maximum pressure" campaign and its hostile stance towards Iran after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal, in 2018. Together, these developments have reinforced Iranian mistrust and further narrowed the space for diplomacy. Furthermore, there is no credible assessment that the recent strikes have permanently crippled Iran's nuclear programme. Many analysts believe any setbacks will last only months, not years, and that Iran will simply shift operations deeper underground. Roadblocks to dominance The unresolved Palestinian question remains the greatest obstacle to expanding the Abraham Accords and achieving regional peace. Saudi Arabia has made its position clear: it demands an unambiguous commitment to establishing a Palestinian state. Yet the Netanyahu government - shaped by ultra-right forces - prioritises military dominance over meaningful negotiations, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel's military assault on Gaza has inflamed Arab public opinion, making normalisation politically costly for Gulf leaders. Without a clear post-war vision for Gaza and a comprehensive ceasefire, Israeli dominance is unsustainable. Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage of the Israel-Palestine war Regional actors, especially in the Gulf, fear appearing complicit with a state widely viewed as violating Arab rights. Israel's prolonged war in Gaza and lack of a political roadmap have tarnished its global image, leading to growing international condemnation and even weakening support from traditional allies like the EU (though it declined to take any action). Israel's military assault on Gaza has inflamed Arab public opinion, making normalisation politically costly for Gulf leaders The erosion of diplomatic support for Israel - alongside the continued refusal to hold it accountable for its war crimes - has only furthered its isolation, undermining any bid for genuine regional leadership. Meanwhile, Israeli national security doctrine under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relies on military superiority as the only guarantee of peace. But even claimed military "victories" come at staggering human and economic costs - both for Palestinians and for Israelis. Even if external military actions temporarily consolidate internal support - as seen in Iran - they often fail to trigger regime change or long-term stability. Decades of foreign interventions have shown that externally imposed political transitions are more likely to produce chaos than lasting peace. Regional and internal pressures have compounded the challenges facing Israel's hegemonic ambitions. Gulf states, wary of Iranian collapse, fear the resulting chaos, humanitarian crisis, refugee flows and nuclear proliferation. Domestically, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure amid public frustration over his failure to secure a full ceasefire in Gaza or release all hostages - exposing internal fractures that challenge any coherent long-term strategy. Crucially, Israel has not established a legitimate Palestinian governing authority to assume control of Gaza, nor has it succeeded in imposing external or co-opted leadership. The result is chaos and the emergence of new resistance movements - mirroring US failures in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regional defiance Saudi Arabia has remained unwilling to embrace Israeli ambitions, insisting that any normalisation must be preceded by a concrete commitment to establishing a Palestinian state. However, Israel's aggression has made further agreements politically untenable. Gulf states must act to avoid Israel's war on Iran spiralling into chaos Hadi Kahalzadeh Read More » Some Gulf countries are reassessing their approach to Israel, questioning whether its actions foster stability or provoke further conflict. Many now prefer a long-term weakening of both Iran and Israel, rather than a decisive victory for either, to reduce threats to their own regimes. Saudi and Emirati strategies of hedging - including outreach to Iran - suggest a desire to avoid taking sides in regional conflicts, reducing their willingness to join an anti-Iran alliance led by Israel. Turkey, too, is unlikely to accept Israeli regional dominance. What was once a "golden age" of cooperation in the 1990s has devolved into mutual suspicion. Turkish leaders have grown increasingly vocal in their condemnation of Israel's actions, particularly in Gaza, and Ankara views Israel's deepening alliances with Greece and Cyprus as a threat. Turkey continues to build its own military and missile capabilities and asserts regional influence in Syria. It also positions itself as a potential mediator in Israeli-Iranian tensions - an indication of its desire to act independently. A fragile vision Trump's military campaign may have weakened Iran's nuclear ambitions and its regional allies, but long-term regional stability remains elusive. The current "peace" is more accurately described as a fragile truce than a durable shift. At its core, Israeli military superiority has failed to deliver political solutions. Without addressing the Palestinian question, stabilising Gaza, and navigating complex regional rivalries, lasting peace is impossible. Even if armed groups are temporarily subdued, the region's capacity to generate new forms of resistance endures Even if armed resistance groups such as Hezbollah or Hamas are temporarily subdued, the region's capacity to generate new forms of resistance endures. Israel may maintain its military edge, but it will continue to struggle for legitimacy and leadership in the Middle East. As violations of international law by the US and Israel mount, the message appears clear: "Only the weak follow the rules." Such a precedent erodes collective security and undermines any meaningful regional consensus. Real, enduring peace will not come through dominance alone - it demands diplomacy, justice, and the courage to confront the root causes of conflict. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
National policy for the use of AI launched in Bahrain
Bahrain has announced the launch of a national policy for the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) also announced the adoption of the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI. The initiative is in line with the directives of Interior Minister and ministerial committee for information and communication technology chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. iGA chief executive Mohammed Al Qaed said that the AI policy, available at aims to harness AI to support economic and social growth, enhance government efficiency and ensure the secure and ethical application of AI in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. He emphasised that the policy adheres to national and international ethical and legal standards. The policy underscores compliance with key national laws and frameworks, including the Personal Data Protection Law, the Law on the Protection of State Documents and Information, the Open Data Policy and the GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI. Mr Al Qaed also highlighted the importance of government entities in educating and enabling national talent to use AI technologies professionally and ethically. He outlined the iGA's efforts to deliver training programmes and workshops to build awareness among public sector employees, particularly in critical sectors such as health, education and public services, contributing to Bahrain's competitiveness at the regional and global levels. He emphasised the government's commitment to integrating AI into public services in a systematic and unified manner, ensuring the alignment of related initiatives and investments to maximise performance, streamline services and deliver tangible benefits to citizens and residents. The national framework also seeks to enhance public trust in advanced technologies and foster a sustainable, innovation-driven digital society. The AI policy targets government officials, developers of digital services, decision-makers, academics, researchers and beneficiaries of smart government services. It focuses on four key pillars: commitment to relevant laws and policies, encouraging AI adoption in government, empowering employees with AI knowledge and skills and reinforcing partnerships to support innovation. The GCC Guiding Manual on the Ethical Use of AI serves as a complementary framework to the national policy on AI, reflecting shared regional values that emphasise respect for human dignity, alignment with Islamic principles and national identity, and a commitment to sustainability, co-operation and human well-being. The manual is founded on four core ethical principles: safeguarding human autonomy in decision-making, ensuring safety and the prevention of harm, promoting fairness and equality and protecting privacy and data integrity. Mr Al Qaed said that the integration of the policy and ethical charter provides a strong foundation for responsible AI governance, supporting institutional digital transformation, public confidence and the development of a sustainable and innovative society. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
