Thai visa applicants must make social media public under new US rules

Thai nationals applying for a US visa will be required to make their social media profiles public as part of expanded screening measures introduced by the US Department of State, effective March 30, according to the US Embassy in Bangkok.

Under the new policy, applicants in a wider range of nonimmigrant visa categories must allow authorities to review their online presence as part of the vetting process. These include A-3, C-3 (for domestic workers), G-5, H-3 and their H-4 dependents, K visas (K-1, K-2, K-3), as well as Q, R, S, T and U visa categories.

The expanded screening adds to existing requirements already applied to H-1B workers and their dependents, as well as F, M and J visa applicants, who are subject to similar reviews.

To facilitate the process, all affected applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public” or “open,” allowing US authorities to examine their online activity.

The State Department said it uses all available information during visa screening to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States, including those who could pose a threat to national security or public safety.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the department said, stressing that applicants must demonstrate their eligibility and intent to comply with the conditions of their stay.

Officials added that a US visa is considered “a privilege, not a right,” underscoring the need for strict screening procedures.