The U.S. Department of State announced on September 18, 2026, that starting October 1, 2026, it will extend its online-presence review to include applicants for TN, TD, and I nonimmigrant visa classifications.
This change requires applicants for these visa types to change the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to “public” or “open” to facilitate the visa screening process.
Expanded Online-Presence Review Adds TN, TD, and I Visas
Social media screening has been part of the U.S. visa application process for several years, with social-media identifiers collected from most visa applicants. The October 1 expansion applies specifically to TN visa applicants, TD visa applicants, and I visa
applicants, adding them to the group subject to the Department of State’s broader online-presence screening.
Details on Visa Classifications Affected
The TN visa applies to USMCA Professionals, typically Canadian and Mexican citizens who come temporarily to the United States for professional business activities. Mexican citizens generally require TN visas, while Canadian citizens usually do not but may apply in certain circumstances or seek status at U.S. ports of entry.
TD visas cover certain spouses and unmarried minor children of TN professionals. Canadian dependents often do not require TD visas, while many Mexican and other non-Canadian dependents do.
I visas are issued to representatives of foreign
media traveling to the U.S. for professional assignments.
Applicant Instructions and Practical Guidance
The Department of State directs all TN, TD, and I visa applicants to ensure all their social media profiles are made fully public or open. Partial compliance—such as making only some profiles public—is insufficient.
Applicants should consult the Department’s current instructions prior to visa appointments, provide accurate and truthful information throughout the application process, and understand that having social media profiles is not mandatory if they do not already exist.
Scope and Limitations of Screening
Online-presence review is one component of the overall visa screening and vetting process utilized to evaluate applicant eligibility and identify potential inadmissibility.
The expanded screening for TN, TD, and I visas does not guarantee visa approval and does not require applicants without social media accounts to create them.
Miami Immigration Lawyer Martha L. Arias of Arias Villa Law in Miami, Florida, advises applicants with questions about immigration matters to contact her office at 305-671-0018 for legal guidance.
