US to Screen Social Media of Applicants in Three More Visa Categories

The US Department of State will expand its social media vetting requirements from 1 October, requiring applicants for I, TN and TD visas to make their social media profiles publicly accessible as part of the visa adjudication process.

The move adds foreign media representatives and certain professionals from Canada and Mexico to the groups subject to the requirement. I visas are issued to journalists, broadcasters and film or print professionals who temporarily enter the US to carry out reporting or other informational work on behalf of organisations based outside the country. Their activities are limited to news-gathering and related functions.

TN visas allow eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in the US in recognised professional occupations under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). TD visas are available to their eligible dependants.

The latest expansion follows changes introduced earlier in the year. In March 2026, the Department extended social media vetting to diplomats, cultural exchange visitors, religious workers and humanitarian applicants. The October change continues the expansion of the policy to a wider range of visa categories.

The Department has said the policy is intended to strengthen national security screening. It maintains that every visa decision has national security implications and that reviewing applicants' online presence can provide additional information for identifying potential risks. The Department has also stated that visas are discretionary and that applicants must demonstrate lawful intent and comply with the conditions of their visas.

Applicants and employers may face longer processing times and additional questions during interviews as consular officers review online activity. Cases may also be subject to administrative delays. Requiring applicants to make their profiles public could raise privacy concerns, particularly for journalists and other professionals whose work may involve sensitive information or professional independence.