U.S. Embassy in Dhaka Now Requires Public Social Media for Visa Applicants

U.S. Embassy in Dhaka Requires Public Social Media for Visa Applicants

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has updated its requirements for certain non-immigrant visa applicants, mandating that their social media accounts be made public. This change, which took effect on March 30, 2026, is part of a broader U.S. security initiative to enhance vetting processes and verify identities. The embassy announced on June 5, 2026, that applicants in specific visa categories must adjust their privacy settings to “public” or “open” to allow for this expanded online screening.

This directive aligns with a nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of State to strengthen security measures for all visa applicants. The goal is to identify individuals who might pose a threat to national security or public safety, or who may be attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretenses. Consular officers will use this public information to cross-reference details provided in visa applications and during interviews.

Affected Visa Categories

The new requirement specifically impacts applicants for several non-immigrant visa types. These include A-3, C-3 (for domestic workers), G-5, H-3, H-4 (dependent of H-3), K-1 (fiancé), K-2, K-3, Q, R-1 (religious worker), R-2, S, T, and U visas. This list expands upon previous requirements that already covered categories such as H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J visas, which were subject to similar disclosure rules starting in mid-2025.

Social Media Disclosure Details

Applicants are required to provide all social media handles or usernames they have used over the past five years. This information must be submitted on their visa application forms, such as the DS-160 for non-immigrant visas or the DS-260 for immigrant visas. The policy covers major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. The key change is that these accounts must be publicly accessible, not just disclosed in a form while remaining private.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with the public social media requirement can have serious consequences. Consular officers are instructed to view a refusal to provide accounts or make them accessible for review as potential material misrepresentation. Such a finding can lead to the applicant being deemed inadmissible to the United States. This means that any inconsistencies found between an applicant’s public online presence and their visa application could negatively impact the decision.

Broader Security Context

The U.S. government views social media screening as an essential part of identity verification and admissibility checks. Information gleaned from posts, connections, and profile details can help identify national security risks, public safety concerns, or indications of fraudulent intent. This policy is part of a larger strategy, reinforced by Executive Order 14161 signed in January 2025, which aims to establish uniform vetting standards across all immigration-related benefits.

The embassy’s announcement in Dhaka also comes at a time when other restrictions are affecting Bangladeshi nationals. These include a $15,000 visa bond for B1/B2 applicants and a pause on certain immigrant visa issuances for countries with high reliance on public assistance. Processing times for visas in Dhaka have also seen variations, with immigrant visas now having a two-day processing option, while non-immigrant applicants facing social media reviews may experience longer waits due to additional background checks.

For individuals seeking to understand these requirements better or to find updates, official resources include the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh’s newsroom, the U.S. Department of State’s Travel.State.Gov News page, and USCIS Official Alerts and Policy Updates. These platforms provide notices related to visa screening, consular practices, and immigration vetting.