What’s Happening
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced that, effective October 1, 2026, it will expand its online presence review process to include TN, TD, and I nonimmigrant visa applicants. The expansion adds these classifications to the growing list of visa categories subject to enhanced screening and vetting during consular visa adjudications.
The new requirements build upon existing online presence review procedures that already apply to several other nonimmigrant visa categories, including F, M, J, H-1B, H-4, and certain additional classifications.
What You Need to Know
Three additional visa categories will be subject to enhanced screening. Beginning October 1, 2026, the expanded requirements will apply to TN professionals under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), their TD dependents, and I visa applicants who are foreign media representatives.
Applicants must make their social media profiles publicly accessible. The Department of State has instructed affected applicants to change the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to “public” or “open.” The Department relies on available sources of information during visa screening to assess applicants’ eligibility and identify potential national security or public safety concerns.
The expansion applies to consular visa applications. The announcement specifically addresses Department of State visa adjudications and does not expressly extend the new requirements to TN applications submitted by Canadian nationals directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry or to petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For those applications subject to online presence review, additional administrative processing may affect visa issuance timelines. Although the Department has not announced new processing timelines or detailed standards for evaluating applicants’ online presence, enhanced screening may result in additional administrative processing or visa issuance delays in individual cases. Applicants should account for this possibility when scheduling consular appointments and making international travel arrangements.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers and affected foreign nationals should prepare for the expanded screening requirements ahead of the October 1, 2026, implementation date. Individuals applying for TN, TD, or I visas at U.S. consulates should review their social media privacy settings before their appointments and ensure their profiles are publicly accessible in accordance with the Department’s instructions.
Employers should also consider the potential impact of additional screening on international travel, visa issuance, and anticipated employment start dates. Foreign nationals with upcoming consular appointments should coordinate with immigration counsel when planning travel, particularly where delays in visa issuance could affect their ability to return to the United States as scheduled.
For Canadian TN applicants, the distinction between consular visa applications and applications for admission directly at a U.S. port of entry remains important. The Department’s announcement does not establish new social media screening requirements for TN applications submitted directly to CBP, although CBP retains its existing authority to conduct screening and determine admissibility.
What to Expect Next
Implementation on October 1: The expanded online presence review process is scheduled to take effect for TN, TD, and I visa applicants on October 1, 2026. Affected applicants should review their social media privacy settings before attending their consular appointments.
Potential Processing Delays: Employers and foreign nationals should allow flexibility when planning international travel and anticipated employment start dates, particularly if additional administrative processing is required.
Additional Guidance: D&S will monitor any further Department of State guidance regarding implementation of the expanded screening requirements, including any clarification of the review process or its potential impact on visa issuance timelines.
Stay Tuned: This Is a Developing Issue
D&S will continue to monitor implementation of the expanded online presence review requirements and any resulting changes to consular visa adjudication procedures. Employers and foreign nationals with upcoming TN, TD, or I visa applications should consult immigration counsel regarding their specific circumstances and anticipated international travel.
This alert is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult D&S immigration counsel regarding your specific circumstances. D&S Senior Associate, Paulina Baginska, assisted with the preparation of this alert.