On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced that starting October 1, 2026, TN, TD (Canadian and Mexican citizen USMCA professionals and their dependents), and I (foreign media representatives) visa applicants will be subject to a review of their online presence as part of their visa application process at U.S. embassies/consulates abroad. To facilitate this vetting, visa applicants will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” or “open.” This is an expansion of the online presence review already in place for F, M, and J visa applicants as well as for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
Please Note: This announcement was made by the Department of State (DOS) and pertains to applications for U.S. entry visa stamps at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. It does not apply to Canadian citizens who do not apply for U.S. entry visa stamps. (Canadian citizens are generally exempt from this requirement.)
As a reminder, it is very important to consult with your advisor in the International Scholars Office for individualized advice before you travel internationally. We are also available to answer any questions you may have about this announcement.