US introduces new social media requirement for I, TN, TD visa applicants

The United States will require applicants for I, TN and TD visas to make their social media profiles public from October 1, 2026, as part of expanded immigration screening.

According to Nairametrics, the Department of State has instructed applicants in the affected categories to change their social media privacy settings to “public” or “open” for vetting.

The I visa covers foreign journalists and media representatives, while TN visas allow eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals to work temporarily in the United States under the USMCA. TD visas cover eligible dependents of TN holders.

The new policy expands social media screening already applied to several nonimmigrant visa categories, including student, exchange visitor and temporary worker visas.

Applicants already disclose social media identifiers used during previous years.