The U.S. Department of State announced on September 18, 2026, that starting October 1, 2026, social media screening will be expanded to include applicants for TN, TD, and I nonimmigrant visas.
Social Media Profile Requirements and History
Applicants for TN, TD, and I visas must set all social media profiles to public or open to allow access during the Department’s screening process. Partially public profiles do not meet the requirement, as the instruction specifies all profiles must be accessible. The Department of State has collected social media identifiers from most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants since 2019, using this information as part of identity verification and
applicant screening.
Visa Classifications and Citizenship Differences
The TN visa category applies to Canadian and Mexican citizens who enter the U.S. temporarily for professional business activities. Mexican citizens generally require a TN visa, while Canadian citizens typically do not need it and may seek status at U.S. ports of entry; however, Canadian applicants can be issued TN visas in some cases. Dependents, such as spouses and unmarried minor children of TN professionals, qualify for the TD visa. Canadian dependents usually do not require TD visas, but Mexican and other non-Canadian dependents generally must apply for them. The I visa is designated for representatives of foreign
media traveling to the United States for professional assignments.
Purpose and Integration of the Expanded Screening
The expansion aims to enhance the identification of visa applicants who may be inadmissible or fail to meet eligibility standards. This extended online-presence review supplements the existing Department of State screening and vetting mechanisms—it is not a new practice but an inclusion of additional visa categories. The Department has clarified that social media content alone does not determine visa eligibility.
Applicant Guidance and Legal Considerations
Applicants within the TN, TD, and I visa groups must ensure all social media accounts are public before their visa interviews beginning October 1, 2026. They are required to provide truthful
and complete information throughout the application and interview processes. Canadian citizens applying for these visas may be subject to the expanded screening even if they usually do not require a visa for entry, according to Miami Immigration Lawyer – Attorney Martha L. Arias, Esq. The Department of State advises applicants to follow official instructions carefully and confirms that no social media account creation is mandated for applicants without existing profiles.
