On September 18, 2026, the Department of State (“DOS”) announced it will expand screening and vetting for all TN applicants and their TD dependents, and I applicants, beginning October 1, 2026. Consular officers will review the online presence of visa applicants, including any social media, to determine whether they are inadmissible to the United States, including those who they deem pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety. The announcement notes that the requirement for enhanced vetting is already in place for the following visa categories:
- Diplomatic and Official Visas: A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5
- Students: F-1, M-1, F-2, M-2
- Temporary Workers and Trainees: H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependents of H1-B and H-3
- Exchange Visitors: J-1, J-2
- Fiancé and Dependents: K-1, K-2, K-3
- International Cultural Exchange Participants: Q
- Religious Occupations: R-1, R-2
- Witnesses, Informants, and Victims: S, T, U
See our prior posts on this subject here (students and their dependents) and here (H1B workers and their dependents). All visa applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate review.
As in prior announcements, DOS states that every visa adjudication is a national security decision and that the expanded screening and vetting is designed to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or the national interest, and that all applicants credibly establish they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their visa admission.
This expanded vetting may cause delays in processing times for visa applicants. As always, applicants should make visa appointments well in advance.
Chris Beckerson © Jewell Stewart Pratt Beckerson & Carr PC 2026
