21 Jan 2026 Your Social Media Postings Could Result In Visa Refusal
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that as of December 15, 2025, U.S. embassies will more intensely examine visa applicants “online presence” for H-1B, H4, F, M, and J nonimmigrants. (These are non-immigrant visas for work or study.) However, this social media vetting could easily apply to applicants for immigrant visas as well. Visa applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public” to enable the U.S. government to review their postings.
The reason for scrutinizing applicants’ online presence is to “identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety,” and to make sure that those applying for admission into the United States “do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests,” reminding people that a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.
Screening a person’s social media postings is yet another part of Pres. Trump’s “extreme vetting,” to search out and catch people who may be coming to the U.S., intending to engage in illegal activities, terrorism, etc. If a person has been posting on their Facebook or Instagram account messages such as “Death to America,” or other anti-American material, DOS will now check their online presence. Therefore, if you are going to apply for a U.S. visa, be aware that the embassy may be checking your Facebook, Instagram, Tinder or other accounts, which you are also required to list on your visa application form.
From my perspective, having worked with the Filipino community for so many years, I really don’t think there’s that much concern about Filipinos posting or engaging in anti-American activities. Their desire is to come to the U.S., be with family, work hard, and contribute to the country, with the ultimate dream of U.S. citizenship.
But there still is a reason to be concerned about social media postings. For example, if a person is being petitioned by a U.S. citizen spouse, but they are posting selfies of themselves on vacation with a boyfriend or girlfriend, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may conclude it is a fixed marriage. If somebody’s being petitioned by an employer but posting about their job with another company, this could also create issues with their eligibility or admissibility.
If you are seeking any immigration benefit, I would recommend you consult with an attorney, especially during this era of Trump’s strict enforcement, extreme vetting, in-depth investigation, and attitude that people are committing fraud, etc. An attorney can review your eligibility and help you prepare and package your case to ensure it is complete and in compliance with all requirements and documentation. So, even if you are subjected to extreme vetting or investigation, your case would have a greater chance of success if properly packed.
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