US enforces new visa rules: Zimbabwean applicants must unlock social media profiles
Zimbabweans applying for student, vocational or exchange visitor visas to the United States are being urged to immediately adjust the privacy settings of their social media profiles — or risk being denied entry.
The sweeping new requirement was announced on 18 June 2025 by the U.S. Department of State, with embassies and consulates worldwide instructed to begin enforcing it without delay. The directive applies to all individuals seeking F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) nonimmigrant visas — categories commonly used by Zimbabweans seeking to study, train or participate in cultural programmes in the U.S.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,”
— U.S. Embassy London Consular, 23 June 2025
“All individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law,”
— U.S. Mission Mali, 24 June 2025
The U.S. State Department explained that the change is part of an expanded effort to tighten national security by conducting deeper vetting of visa applicants’ online activity — including content that has since been deleted but may still be recoverable.
What this means for Zimbabweans: no more private profiles
Zimbabwean students and exchange applicants — many of whom use F and J visas — must now ensure that all their social media profiles are viewable by the public for the duration of the visa process.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube and Snapchat are all included. Even if you delete a post, like, or entire profile, the U.S. government may still be able to access historical activity through automated vetting tools or third-party archives.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting… including online presence,”
— U.S. Department of State, 18 June 2025
“Deleting content doesn’t guarantee that it won’t be seen. Shared posts, comments from others, or archived versions may still be accessible during vetting,”
— [I cannot verify this]
Deleted does not mean invisible: US can still access removed content
It is important for Zimbabwean applicants to understand that deleting old content does not erase their responsibility to declare their past activity.
Even deleted posts, usernames or handles must be disclosed on the DS-160 visa application form — the official document used for U.S. nonimmigrant visa applications.
“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,”
— U.S. Mission Mali, 24 June 2025
The State Department further warned that visa officers are trained to detect dishonesty, pseudonymous activity, or discrepancies between declared and undeclared profiles.
If found to have withheld information — even unintentionally — an applicant could be permanently ineligible for a U.S. visa.
What exactly are F, M, and J visas?
Zimbabweans commonly apply for three types of nonimmigrant visas to the United States. All of them are now affected by this rule:
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F Visa (Academic Student Visa): For students attending colleges, universities, language training programmes, or high schools in the U.S.
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M Visa (Vocational Training Visa): For students pursuing practical skills at technical or mechanical schools.
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J Visa (Exchange Visitor Visa): For cultural and educational exchange programmes, including internships, teaching, and research.
These visas are temporary and applicants must demonstrate that they intend to return home after completing their programme.
What type of social media content may lead to visa rejection?
The U.S. has not published an official list of what constitutes “red flag” content. However, based on statements by officials, the following types of posts may lead to increased scrutiny or outright denial:
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Extremist or violent content
Any posts expressing support for terrorist organisations or violence — even as a joke — can trigger a denial. -
Anti-American sentiments
Posts that criticise the U.S. government, military, people or institutions may be interpreted as hostility.“Officials had been instructed to… search for ‘any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States’,”
— U.S. State Department spokesperson -
Contradictory information
If your social media suggests a different purpose for travel than your visa states, this may cause suspicion. For instance, claiming you “work in New York” on Facebook while applying for a student visa may trigger a denial. -
Obscene or illegal content
Posts about pornography, drug use, or criminal behaviour may affect character assessments. -
Private or pseudonymous accounts not disclosed
Using a fake name or hiding an account — especially if not declared on the DS-160 — is a major red flag. -
Posts in vernacular languages
Posts in Shona or Ndebele will not be exempt. The U.S. may translate them to check for potentially problematic sentiments. Jokes, sarcasm or local slang may be misinterpreted.
How Zimbabweans can comply — while staying safe online
Here’s how Zimbabwean applicants can balance compliance with personal privacy:
1. Create a “visa-friendly” public account
Set up a new public profile using your real name. Use it to showcase academic goals, community work, or cultural exchange activities. Avoid controversial content.
2. Review and clean existing profiles
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Delete or archive sensitive posts
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Unfollow political or controversial accounts
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Edit bios and remove misleading information
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Review and remove tags or comments by others
3. Keep track of all usernames used
Even deleted or unused accounts from the last five years must be listed. Omitting them may result in rejection.
4. Use privacy settings creatively
While your profile must be public, you can still control who tags you, hide your location, and turn off comments.
5. Do not maintain secret accounts
Dual identities or fake accounts can be detected by consular officers. Being caught may lead to permanent ineligibility.
No social media? That’s okay — if true
If you genuinely haven’t used social media in the past five years, you can honestly state “None” on your DS-160 form. However, be ready to explain during your visa interview why you don’t have an online presence.
“You will not be penalised for not having social media, as long as the answer is truthful,”
— U.S. Department of State, 18 June 2025
Saying you’ve never used social media when you once had a Facebook or Instagram account — even if deleted — is considered dishonest.
Is deleting old posts helpful?
Yes — but only if done responsibly. Cleaning up your digital footprint before applying can demonstrate maturity and intent.
Remove:
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Old political rants
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Content involving drugs or violence
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Comments critical of the U.S.
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Humour that may be misunderstood
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Memes that portray offensive stereotypes
However, deleting content does not remove the requirement to disclose that account’s handle.
“Deleting accounts or hiding activity won’t work if you don’t declare them,”
— U.S. Mission Mali
Visa vetting tools may still locate deleted content through backups or shared links.
Summary: What Zimbabweans must remember
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Make all social media profiles public — including ones you rarely use.
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List every handle used in the last five years — even if deleted or inactive.
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Don’t lie on your DS-160 application.
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If you never used social media, say so — but be consistent.
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Clean up your content, but don’t try to hide your digital past.
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Use social media to reflect your academic or cultural interests.
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Deleted content may still be visible to U.S. vetting officers.
Zimbabweans hoping to study or exchange in the U.S. must treat this process seriously. Every tweet, post, like, and comment is now part of your visa application.
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The post US Visa Social Media Changes: What Zimbabweans Must Do Before Applying appeared first on iHarare News.
