The U.S. Embassy in Thailand has announced a sweeping change to its visa application procedures, now requiring all applicants for temporary visas—including F, M, and J categories—to set their social media accounts to “public” visibility.
The new policy, effective immediately, is part of an intensified screening process aimed at bolstering identity verification and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
According to embassy officials, any inappropriate content discovered during the review of an applicant’s social media or digital activity could result in immediate denial of the visa request.
The directive signals a broader approach to background checks. U.S. authorities are now authorized to examine an applicant’s entire online presence, not just their social media profiles. This includes using search engines and other online tools to conduct a comprehensive review of digital footprints.
The policy update follows a revised travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State in June, which increased caution levels for several countries:
- Israel: Level 4 – Do Not Travel
- Dominican Republic: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
- India: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
- Mozambique: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
The embassy emphasized that these changes reflect evolving global security concerns and the need for more robust vetting procedures in light of heightened travel advisories.
