As of July 14, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Turkey has announced a new requirement for certain visa applicants, and it’s all about your social media. If you are applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa, your personal social media accounts now need to be set to public.
What’s Going On?
The U.S. Embassy made it clear that from now on, if you’re applying for a student (F), vocational (M), or exchange (J) visa, you’ll be asked to make your personal social media accounts publicly visible.
Why?
Making your profiles public can help consular officers quickly verify your identity and confirm the information in your application. It supports a smoother and more transparent review process.
Which Visas Are Affected?
This new rule applies specifically to:
- F Visas – for academic students
- M Visas – for vocational or technical students
- J Visas – for exchange visitors (like interns, au pairs, researchers, scholars, etc.)
If you are applying for one of these categories, you’ll need to update your privacy settings before your interview.
Why Social Media?
In recent years, social media has become a significant part of background checks across many sectors. When applying for a U.S. visa, the consular team wants to ensure that the person listed in the application is who they claim to be and that they’re not a security risk.
While this might feel invasive, it’s meant to speed up the verification process and reduce uncertainty.
What Should You Do?
Our suggestions if you’re applying:
- Set your accounts to public: At least temporarily, make your personal profiles visible to everyone.
- Check your usernames: The U.S. requires listing all social media handles used over the past five years on the DS‑160. If your profile name doesn’t match your real name or the one on your application, consider adjusting it.
- Review your content: Take a few minutes to scroll through your recent posts. Remove anything that might be misleading or misunderstood.
- Be consistent: Make sure what’s on your social media matches the information in your application (job titles, education, city, etc.).
Does This Mean They’ll Judge Me Based on My Posts?
Not necessarily, but it’s still a good idea to be mindful. While officials are looking for red flags like fake identities or serious inconsistencies, it’s smart to keep your profiles neat and accurate.
And no, they’re not asking for your passwords or private messages. This is all about what’s publicly visible on your account.
This update is a reminder that your digital footprint matters, especially when it comes to international travel. If you are planning to study, work, or participate in an exchange program in the U.S., make sure your online presence is transparent, honest, and easy to verify.
Preparing for your visa interview? Don’t forget to include your social media check as part of the prep!
Need Help With Your U.S. Visa Application?
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At Oguz Law, we guide you through every step of the process, from paperwork to interview prep.
Let’s make your U.S. dream a reality — safely and stress-free.
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