US State Department Expands Social Media Screening for Visas

The United States Department of State expanded its mandatory online-presence review program on October 1, 2026, to include applicants for I visas for foreign media representatives, TN visas for professionals from Canada and Mexico, and TD visas for their dependents. Under a directive issued September 18, these applicants must set all social media profiles used within the last five years to public or open before their consulate interview and maintain those settings until a decision is reached.

This expansion builds upon a phased program that began in June 2025 and already covered international students, exchange visitors, H-1B workers, and diplomats. The requirement primarily affects Mexican professionals, as Canadian citizens typically obtain TN status at ports of entry without a consulate visa, though their dependents seeking TD visas remain subject to the screening.

The State Department justifies the measure as a national security necessity to identify inadmissible persons who may pose threats to public safety. Simultaneously, the United States Customs and Border Protection has proposed a separate requirement for ESTA travelers to provide five years of social media history. These combined efforts have drawn criticism from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the World Travel & Tourism Council, who warn that such intrusive privacy violations could discourage international tourism and harm civil liberties.