F visas now include a social media review, and accounts must be public

F, M and J applicants are subject to an online presence review: the DS-160 asks for every social account handle used in the past five years, and privacy settings must be set to public.

The list of categories keeps growing. As of AIT's notice updated 18 September 2026 it covers A-3, C-3 (domestic workers), G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-1B and H-3, F, I, J, M, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, TN, TD and U. F and J were in from the start, so this is no longer a student-visa-specific rule.

The review covers every handle listed on the DS-160, and private accounts will be asked to be made public, so set them before the interview rather than after. Interview demand is also high and AIT appointment slots fill up; book as soon as the I-20 arrives.