On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced it will broaden its online-presence review to include applicants for TN, TD, and I nonimmigrant visa categories effective October 1, 2026. This expanded screening applies to applicants for TN visas, for qualifying citizens of Canada and Mexico conducting professional business under USMCA, TD visas issued to certain spouses and unmarried minor children of TN professionals, and I visas for foreign media representatives working professionally in the United States.
Expanded Social Media Review and Application Instructions
The Department’s enhanced online-presence screening requires applicants for TN, TD, and I visas to make all social media profiles public or openly
accessible. Partial compliance, such as making only some profiles public, does not satisfy the requirement. This expansion builds on existing procedures initiated in 2019 when most visa applicants began submitting social media identifiers to aid identity verification and vetting.
Visa Classifications and Citizenship Requirements
The TN visa is designated for eligible Canadian and Mexican citizens engaged in USMCA professional activities. Mexican citizens generally require TN visas, while Canadian citizens typically do not need TN visas because they often seek status at U.S. ports of entry. The TD visa covers certain spouses and unmarried minor children of TN visa holders; Mexican and many non-Canadian dependents generally
require TD visas, whereas Canadian dependents commonly do not. The I visa classification is for representatives of foreign media traveling to the U.S. in their professional capacity.
Applicant Responsibilities and Compliance
The Department instructs applicants to provide truthful and complete information throughout the application process, including interviews and supporting documents. Applicants must comply fully with the requirement to make all social media profiles public; failure to do so will not meet Department instructions. Applicants who do not have any social media profiles are not required to create them for visa purposes.
Additional Screening Component Within Visa Eligibility
Social media screening is only one component of the broader visa vetting process
used to identify inadmissible or ineligible applicants. Visa applicants must still establish eligibility under U.S. law, with social media review serving as part of the overall information sources used during adjudication. Applicants for TN, TD, and I visas are advised to review the Department of State’s current instructions before visa appointments as policies and procedures can change.
Legal Advice and Contact Information
Arias Villa, PLLC, a Miami-based immigration law firm, offers consultations on U.S. visa matters and can be contacted at 305-671-0018. The Department of State’s official announcement is titled “Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants.”
