Friday, June 27th, 2025
Starting in June 2025, the US Department of State has implemented a new policy that requires that all visa applicants, including South Africa, to disclose their social media handles and allow profiles to be made public during the application process. This measure aims to enhance the review process by providing authorities with greater insight into the applicant's online activities.
Things you need to know about new social media requirements
As part of the visa application process, South African applicants must provide a list of all social media platforms used in the past five years. These profiles are reviewed by the consul to assess security risks and validate the information provided by the application.
Privacy Settings
As part of the new US visa application requirements, South African applicants must ensure that their social media profiles are published during the application process. This means that you can adjust your privacy settings so that consuls can view content on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Without publishing the profile, consul officials can rely on this access to verify information and assess potential security risks, so if you do not publish your profile, you could end up delaying or even denial of your visa application. Applicants must review and modify their privacy settings accordingly to avoid complications in the visa approval process.
Social Media Platforms
This disclosure applies to all social media platforms used in the past five years. Popular platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and LinkedIn. Applicants must have their profiles on these platforms publicly or accessible to US consuls officers.
Content review
Consulate officers will review posts, comments and connections of content that may raise concerns. We recommend that you carefully check the existence of social media and remove any content that may be misunderstood or deemed inappropriate.
Purposes behind policy changes
US officials say the policy is designed to enhance national security by providing a more comprehensive view of the applicant's background. Social media content can reveal affiliation, behavior, or intent that may not be revealed through traditional review methods. The State Department emphasizes that the measure is part of a broader effort to prevent visa fraud and identify potential threats before entering the United States.
How to prepare new requirements
To comply with the new rules, South African applicants must:
Compile a list of all social media platforms that have been in use over the past five years. Supply profiles are set up to be publicly or accessible to consulate officers. Profile and Cleanup Professional, presenting professional and accurate images.
Official guidance and resources are available on the US Embassy website.
Privacy concerns and public responses
The new rules sparked debate on privacy rights and data security. Critics argue that requesting public access to individual social media accounts could infringe privacy and put applicants at risk. However, US officials argue that policies respect individual privacy and balance security needs. They ensure that only relevant information is considered and data protection protocols are in place.
Final Thoughts
While the new social media disclosure requirements may seem invasive, it is essential that South African applicants understand and adhere to the policy to avoid delays or denials in their visa applications. By verifying that your social media profile is published and reviewing content for aptitude, applicants can navigate this new process smoothly. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official US Embassy website for the latest updates and detailed instructions.
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