The U.S. Department of State is once again broadening the scope of its social media vetting program — and this time, the expansion reaches USMCA professionals, their families, and foreign journalists.
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced that its existing online presence review will expand to applicants in the TN, TD, and I nonimmigrant visa classifications beginning October 1, 2026.
The Department has also instructed applicants in these categories to change the privacy settings on all social media profiles to "public" or "open" to facilitate the review.
Who Is Affected?
The expansion targets three specific nonimmigrant visa categories:
- I Visas:
- TN Visas:
- TD Visas: These are issued to the spouses and minor children (dependents) of TN professionals.
The expansion adds these classifications to the growing list of visa categories subject to enhanced screening and vetting during consular visa adjudications.
What the New Requirement Entails
As part of the enhanced vetting process, applicants in these categories are instructed to set all social media accounts and profiles to "public" or "open" so that consular officers can review available online content during the visa adjudication process.
This goes beyond simply disclosing social media identifiers on the DS-160 form — a requirement that has been in place since 2019.
On May 31, 2019, the US Department of State updated their Form DS-160 (online nonimmigrant visa application) and Form DS-260 (online immigrant visa application) to collect social media identifiers for those applying for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
The new policy requires that the content of those profiles be accessible to consular officers.
The government says it uses available sources of information during visa screening to determine applicants' eligibility and identify potential national security or public safety concerns.
A Pattern of Steady Expansion
This latest announcement represents the fourth major phase in a screening program that has grown incrementally over the past 16 months:
1. June 2025:
The State Department first expanded online presence review to F, M, and J visa applicants (students and exchange visitors).
2. December 2025: The program was extended to H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents.
3. March 2026:
The March 30, 2026 expansion was the third — and largest — to date, adding 14 additional visa categories, including K-1, K-2, K-3, R-1, R-2, H-3, A-3, C-3, G-5, Q, S, T, and U visa applicants.
4. October 2026: TN, TD, and I visas are added to the list.
The October 1 change is an expansion of that existing screening process, not the beginning of social-media screening for U.S. visas generally.
Key Distinction: Canadian vs. Mexican TN Applicants
Immigration attorneys are drawing attention to an important nuance in how this policy will affect Canadian and Mexican professionals differently.
Mexican citizens need TN visas, while Canadian citizens generally can seek TN admission at a U.S. port of entry without a visa.
Because the September announcement specifically refers to TN and TD visa applicants, Canadian citizens entering in TN status without applying for a visa should distinguish their situation from applicants going through the consular visa process.
In practice, this means Mexican TN professionals — who must apply at a U.S. consulate — will be directly subject to the new screening requirement. Canadian professionals who apply at a port of entry may not face the same consular-level social media review, though this distinction could evolve as the program develops.
The new announcement concerns consular visa applications and does not announce a corresponding change to CBP admission procedures.
Implications for Foreign Journalists
The inclusion of I visa applicants has raised particular attention.
The change is significant because international journalists often maintain active digital profiles connected to their professional work.
Journalists and media professionals may need to ensure their social media information aligns with details provided during their application.
For members of the foreign press, whose social media activity is inherently intertwined with their professional responsibilities, the requirement to make all profiles publicly accessible for government review adds a new layer of scrutiny to the visa process.
Practical Risks: Processing Delays and 221(g) Notices
Visa applicants and their employers should be aware that social media screening has been linked to processing delays across other visa categories.
While consulates often continue processing visas regardless of privacy settings, employers and foreign nationals should be aware of this development and watch for emerging trends, such as 221(g) notices tied to social media reviews.
A 221(g) notice is a temporary hold — not a denial — that pauses a visa decision pending additional review or documentation.
Private accounts get you a "Social Media Public" white slip on the spot.
Experience from the H-1B rollout in December 2025 showed that
early applicants reported delays, passport retention and temporary refusals under administrative review.
Any incongruity between online persona and stated travel purpose triggers "administrative processing," adding weeks or months to a file.
For those applications subject to online presence review, additional administrative processing may affect visa issuance timelines.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Employers and affected applicants should review upcoming consular appointments and travel plans now and prepare for the public-profile requirement described in the September 18 announcement.
Immigration law experts recommend the following steps:
- Set all social media profiles to public before your consular appointment. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and any other platforms listed on the DS-160.
- Ensure consistency.
- Disclose all accounts.
- Build extra time into travel plans. Given the documented delays in other visa categories, applicants should not assume same-day or rapid visa issuance.
- Note the distinction between no profiles and private profiles.
Applicants whose cases remain pending on October 1 should prepare for the expanded review, even if they submitted their applications or scheduled interviews earlier.
Looking Ahead
The steady expansion of social media screening across virtually all nonimmigrant visa categories signals that online vetting is becoming a permanent feature of U.S. visa adjudication. With each successive rollout — from students to skilled workers to fiancé(e)s to now USMCA professionals and foreign media — the Department of State has moved closer to universal online presence review for all visa applicants.
For professionals, particularly those working with foreign media organisations, the change is another indication that US visa processing is placing greater emphasis on applicants' online presence alongside conventional eligibility and documentation checks.
Applicants in the TN, TD, and I categories should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to understand how the new requirements apply to their specific situation, particularly given the evolving nature of the program and the potential for processing delays.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have questions about how the expanded social media screening may affect your visa application, please contact Clinch Law Firm for a consultation.