See the categories of visa applicants affected by the latest US government immigration directive

The United States Department of State has announced new stringent screening measures for nonimmigrant visa applicants under the F, M, and J categories, intensifying vetting protocols to include scrutiny of social media activity.

In a statement released on June 18, 2025, the Department emphasised that obtaining a U.S. visa remains a privilege, not a right, and that every visa adjudication is regarded as a national security decision. 

"We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the statement said.

The expanded vetting will primarily affect three visa classifications:

F visas: Issued to international students enrolled in academic programmes or English language courses in the United States.

M visas: Designated for international students attending vocational or non-academic technical institutions.

J visas: Issued for individuals participating in approved exchange visitor programmes, including scholars, researchers, and cultural exchange participants.

As part of the new directive, all F, M, and J visa applicants will be required to adjust their social media privacy settings to “public” to enable thorough review by consular officers. The vetting will include detailed examinations of applicants’ online presence and social interactions.

“Our overseas posts will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon,” the statement said, urging prospective applicants to consult U.S. embassy or consulate websites for appointment availability.

This move signals a heightened emphasis on national security in the U.S. visa process, particularly targeting prospective international students and exchange visitors. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests,” the State Department stressed.

The announcement is likely to affect thousands of Ghanaian students and professionals who annually seek to study, train, or collaborate in the United States under these visa categories. Applicants are advised to review their social media content and be prepared to demonstrate the academic or cultural merit of their intentions to travel.

The new vetting protocol comes amid global concerns over national security, online radicalisation, and the misuse of educational or exchange visas for activities inconsistent with U.S. immigration regulations.