Karachi/Lahore: In a move that adds a new layer of scrutiny to an already rigorous process, the United States has instructed Pakistani applicants for student and exchange visitor visas to make their social media accounts public for vetting purposes.
The new requirement applies to individuals applying for F, M, and J category non-immigrant visas — commonly used by international students and exchange visitors. According to an official Instagram post from the US consulates in Karachi and Lahore, applicants must now adjust privacy settings on all social media platforms to “public” to aid in identity verification and security checks.
The announcement follows similar guidance issued earlier this week by the US Embassy in New Delhi and is part of a broader policy shift under President Donald Trump’s administration, which recently resumed student visa appointments with a renewed focus on digital background checks.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’,” the consulates said. “This step is necessary to facilitate vetting required to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”
The statement further reminded applicants that since 2019, the US government has required visa applicants — both immigrant and non-immigrant — to provide social media handles and identifiers as part of the application process. Failure to disclose this information, or leaving it incomplete, could result in a visa denial and may even impact future eligibility.
The F and M visas are issued to students enrolling in academic and vocational programs, while the J visa is reserved for individuals participating in approved cultural and educational exchange programs.
While US officials say the move is intended to enhance national security, critics have previously raised concerns over privacy, profiling, and potential bias in interpreting social media content.
For Pakistani applicants, this added requirement underscores the importance of transparency in online presence — and the growing role digital footprints play in international travel and immigration decisions.
