The United States Embassy in Harare has announced a new requirement for individuals applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas.
Effective immediately, applicants are being asked to adjust the privacy settings on all personal social media accounts to “public” as part of the visa vetting process.
In a statement shared by the embassy, officials emphasised that “every visa adjudication is a national security decision.”
The move is aimed at helping consular officers verify an applicant’s identity and determine admissibility into the United States.
F, M, and J visas are typically issued to students, vocational trainees, and exchange program participants, respectively.
The embassy’s directive means applicants must ensure their online profiles are accessible to the public prior to their visa interviews.
The embassy did not indicate how long the requirement will remain in effect or whether failure to comply will result in automatic visa denial.
However, the instruction underscores the growing role of digital footprints in immigration and security screening procedures.
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