US Will Require Public Social Media Profiles for I, TN and TD Visas

Starting October 1, 2026, the US is expanding online screening of visa applicants. Find out who is affected and how to prepare your profiles for the interview

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A US visa is increasingly starting not with a form, but with privacy settings. The State Department announced on September 18, 2026, that starting October 1, online presence review will expand to three more nonimmigrant visa categories: I, TN, and TD. Those affected will need to make all their social media profiles public or open. Here's who falls under the new rules and what to do about it.

Read also about which visas and documents are needed to work in the US and how much legal employment costs.

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What changes for US visa applicants from October 1, 2026?

The State Department's wording is direct: applicants in these categories must change their profile privacy settings to "public" or "open." This applies to all profiles, not just the most active one. Lawyers who commented on the announcement specifically point this out: opening one account while leaving others private would not satisfy the requirement.

The department explains the change this way: consular officers need all available sources to verify an applicant's identity, visa eligibility, and any potential security risks. Reviewing social media is just one component of a broader screening process, not a separate procedure.

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Who is affected by the new rules: I, TN, and TD?

The I visa is for foreign media representatives: journalists and other media workers traveling to the US for professional purposes.

TN and TD visas are tied to the USMCA trade agreement between the US, Mexico, and Canada. TN status is obtained by qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico under a specific list of occupations, while TD status goes to their spouses and children.

There's a nuance for Canadians. They typically don't need a TN visa stamp in their passport: they can request status directly at a port of entry or a preclearance location. The State Department's announcement concerns visa applicants and visa adjudication, so it's not clear whether the rule extends to border applications. Lawyers advise watching for further clarification.

Which visas already undergo online screening?

The program started in late June 2025 with students and exchange participants. In December 2025, H-1B workers and their dependents were added, and the scope was expanded again on March 30, 2026. The following categories are now covered:

- A-3, C-3, and G-5 (domestic workers and dependents of diplomats and officials);

- F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-2 (students and their family members);

- H-1B, H-4, and H-3 (temporary workers, trainee program participants, and dependents);

- J-1 and J-2 (exchange programs);

- K-1, K-2, and K-3 (fiancé(e) and spousal visas);

- Q, R-1, R-2, as well as S, T, and U;

- I, TN, and TD, added starting October 1, 2026.

In 2026, the US changed its visa rules and tightened screening. We've already covered entry requirements and legal immigration paths.

Is this really news if social media has been requested since 2019?

Not quite, and this is where it's easy to get confused. Since 2019, most applicants for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas have listed their account identifiers on application forms. But naming a handle and opening a profile for outside review are different things. The second step is what's new for I, TN, and TD applicants. It was introduced earlier for the other categories on the list.

The department also stresses that posting certain content doesn't automatically mean a denial. It's one of the elements a consular officer considers when assessing whether a person meets the requirements for the visa they're seeking.

H-1B visa 2027: registration dates, new selection rules, and changes to US fees – read more here.

How to prepare your profiles before applying

Start with an audit: recall every account you've ever created that's still active. This isn't limited to major social networks – it also includes video platforms and public messenger pages. Compare names and handles with what's listed on your application, since discrepancies look worse than any single post. Open your profiles well in advance, not the day before your interview, and review your own feed as an outside reader would.

According to lawyers, failing to meet the requirement can delay administrative processing or result in a denial, since the consular officer won't be able to complete the review. So it's best not to leave this until the last moment.

Are there any exceptions?

The State Department's latest announcement lists no general exception for the I, TN, or TD categories. The requirement therefore applies to everyone filing under these categories after October 1, regardless of profession or country of origin. If you're unsure whether your case is affected, check the current rules on the US State Department's website or consult an immigration lawyer.

Visa preparation takes up a lot of attention: forms, profile settings, the interview. Amid all that, it's easy to overlook a question that becomes critical once you're actually there – what to do if you need medical care. The I, TN, and TD categories involve work trips and extended stays, and medical care for foreigners in the US is especially expensive.

Travel medical insurance covers emergency care, medical evacuation, trip cancellation or interruption, and other situations that can arise abroad. A policy is chosen for the needed term, from a few days to a year or more, so it can be matched to your actual stay. Covering treatment costs out of pocket is risky, while insurance lets you focus on your work.

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Reminder! The tech talent market in 2026 is one of the most competitive in history. We've already covered which countries offer IT professionals the best conditions in terms of salary, taxes, visa programs, and quality of life.

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