U.S. Department of State Resumes Scheduling for F-1/F-2 and J-1/J-2 Visa Appointments

Who is Subject to the New Vetting Requirements?

All F and J visa applicants are now subject to these new vetting requirements. This includes:

• New F and J visa applications.
• Pending F and J visa applications, including those who received a waiver for the in-person interview requirement.
• F and J visa applicants who have been interviewed and whose cases are otherwise approvable but have not yet been issued a visa.

What Does This Mean for F and J Visa Applicants?

Applicants' online presence includes their social media accounts and activities, as well as information from other online databases. Visa applicants will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to "public." If applicants keep their accounts, or portions of their accounts, private or limited, their visa applications may be denied. Additionally, the Department of State has stated that a lack of online or social media presence can also negatively impact visa applications.  

For more detailed information about the resumption of visa applications and the online presence review, please consult the Department of State Media Note and Fragomen Immigration Alerts. 

We advise Drexel's new F-1 and J-1 students and scholars, as well as their F-2 and J-2 dependents, to regularly check with the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability. 

For more information about international travel, current students and scholars are advised to consult Fragomen International Travel Advice.