Department of State Expands Social Media Screening to Include New Categories Starting March 30

The US Department of State announced it will expand social media and online screening to include additional nonimmigrant visa applicant categories, effective March 30. H-1B applicants and dependents, as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visa applicants are already subject to review. See Gibney’s prior alert on enhanced vetting.

New Visa Categories Added

New visa classifications include:

• A-3: Employees of diplomats and government officials
• C-3 (if a domestic worker): Foreign government officials, families and staff
• G-5: Personal employees of G-1/G-4 visa holders
• H-3: Nonimmigrant Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitors
• H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T and U visa applicants

What this Means for Foreign Nationals and Employers

• All social media account settings must be changed to ‘public’ for mandatory, enhanced screening by consular officers
• Applicants must disclose all social media usernames or handles used within the last 5 years on Form DS-160/DS-260
• Failure to disclose social media accounts or adjust the privacy settings may results in a denial
• Applicants may experience processing delays, increased scrutiny and requests for additional information

Houman Afshar

Amy McCoy