The US has officially tightened its visa rules for Pakistani applicants, and the message is loud and clear: America wants to see everything. Especially your social media.
In a sharp move under President Donald Trump’s immigration clampdown, US consulates in Karachi and Lahore are now demanding that Pakistani applicants for F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visas make their social media profiles public. No more hiding behind private settings.
What’s New in the Visa Rules?
Since 2019, visa applicants have had to list their social media handles. But this time, Washington’s going a step further. Now, the US wants full, open access to those profiles.
No public account?
No visa.
That’s the blunt new message from American consulates. And yes, this applies to anyone applying for those three non-immigrant visa categories.
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The Reason?
Simple: national security.
A leaked June 18 internal cable from the US State Department instructs consular staff to intensify background checks. This includes digging deep into social media activity to flag any hostile views toward the US.
It’s not just a policy tweak—it’s a political message. And a clear one.
According to the State Department, “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.” That means if you’ve ever ranted online against the US, it may just cost you your education or exchange trip.
Not Just Pakistan
This isn’t just a one-off move. The US Embassy in New Delhi is already following similar steps. But with Pakistan, the scrutiny is far more aggressive. For India, there’s trust. For Pakistan, it’s check twice, maybe thrice.
An ARY News report confirms that visa officers are now doing in-depth social media reviews, looking through posts, comments, and even connections.
Think of it as a background check with a magnifying glass—and it’s very real.
This latest move isn’t just about visas. It’s about trust, transparency, and truth. And clearly, the US isn’t buying what Pakistan’s selling—at least not without a deep dive into their social media lives.
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