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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider More US visa applicants now required to set social media accounts public

More US visa applicants now required to set social media accounts public

Published Apr 1, 2026 04:07 pm
Applicants from more US visa category groups are now required to set their social media accounts public, based on the latest advisory of the US Embassy in Manila.
Effective March 30, visa applicants who need to change their social media privacy setting belong to the following categories:
  • Fiancé(e) Visa Applicants (K-1, K-2, and K-3 visas)
  • Certain Personal Employees or Domestic Workers (A-3, C-3, and G-5 visas) 
  • Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitors (H-3 and their H-4 dependents)
  • Cultural and Religious Visitors (Q, R-1, and R-2 visas)
  • Informant, Witness, and Victims of Crimes (S, T, and U visas) 
These categories are in addition to Students and Exchanges (F, M, and J) and Specialty Occupations (H-1B and their H-4 dependents) categories.
According to the embassy, it is using such information "to determine applicants’ eligibility to receive a visa."
Since 2019, it said, the US has required visa applicants to provide social media usernames on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms.
"Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames, handles, or identifiers for every platform they have used in the last 5 years on the visa application form," it said.
"Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit," it added.
It also warned that omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.

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