By the Portlio studio · Published · 5 min read
Since June 2025, the U.S. State Department has asked F, M and J visa applicants to set their social media profiles to public so officers can review their online presence. This is on top of the long-standing DS-160 question about your social media handles.
What you must do
- List every social media platform and username you've used in the last five years on the DS-160.
- Set those profiles to public before your interview.
- Make sure what you say in the interview matches what your profiles show (your school, job and plans).
What officers look for
Officers review for security concerns, such as hostile or extremist content or support for terrorist organizations, and for consistency with your application. Ordinary personal posts aren't a problem.
Don't delete accounts or leave platforms off the DS-160. An omission can look worse than anything you posted.
Officers compare what you say with your application and profiles. Practice telling your story consistently with Stamplio. Try a practice interview
Prepare the rest of your interview with F-1 visa interview questions.
Visa rules and fees were checked in October 2026 and can change at short notice. Always follow the official embassy and government pages. Stamplio is a practice tool: it can't predict or influence a visa decision.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to make my social media public for an F-1 visa?
- Yes. Since June 2025, F, M and J applicants are asked to set their social media profiles to public for review.
- Which social media do I list on the DS-160?
- Every platform and username you've used in the last five years.
About this guide. Written by the Portlio studio as general guidance. It isn't any college's requirements and it can't predict an admissions decision, so check each program's current instructions. Last updated .
Not sure if your work is ready?
Send us what you have. We'll review how it's presented and show you what's possible.
A presentation review, not an admissions assessment.