KARACHI/LAHORE — June 27, 2025: In a significant shift, the U.S. consulates in Karachi and Lahore have mandated that all Pakistani applicants for F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) non-immigrant visas must set their social media accounts to public. This new requirement is part of a stronger vetting process introduced by the U.S. State Department.
🔍 What’s New?
- Mandatory public profiles: Social media accounts must be publicly accessible during application to allow consular officers to review content.
- Expanded scrutiny: This follows a June 18 internal cable, citing a need to detect “hostile views” toward the U.S. through thorough online vetting.
- Not limited to Pakistan: The change aligns with a similar policy recently implemented at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.
🛂 Who Is Affected?
This directive applies to:
- Pakistani nationals applying for F‑1, M‑1, or J‑1 visas.
- Applicants via the Karachi and Lahore consulates.
Since 2019, visa forms have required disclosure of social media handles; now, the added step of making them public is compulsory .
✅ What Applicants Need to Do
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Change privacy settings to “public” | Grant consular access |
| 2 | List all social media handles on DS‑160 or DS‑260 | Full disclosure compliance |
| 3 | Clean up content | Remove potentially sensitive or hostile material |
| 4 | Prepare for vetting | Expect detailed social media checks |
Failing to comply may result in visa denial, processing delays, or future ineligibility.
⚠️ Why It Matters
- This update is part of a broader national security strategy highlighted by a State Department directive: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision”.
- It reflects U.S. President Trump’s higher-security stance on immigration, resuming student visa processing but tightening social media-related checks.
- Experts note the policy could delay applications, increase denials, and create privacy concerns for applicants .
📌 Summary
As of late June 2025, Pakistani F, M, and J visa applicants must ensure:
- All social media accounts are public
- Handles are disclosed on visa forms
- Digital footprints are respectful and neutral
Compliance is not optional—it’s essential to avoid complications in your visa application process.
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