The U.S. Embassy has announced that it will resume processing student and visiting scholar visa applications for Costa Ricans and other foreign nationals, but with a new requirement: applicants must make their social media profiles public as part of a more comprehensive vetting process.

According to a press release issued Friday, the embassy stated that all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, which cover academic students, vocational students, and exchange visitors, will be required to adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate screening.

“The State Department is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” the release said. “A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”

The embassy emphasized that consular officers use all available information to determine visa eligibility, particularly in identifying individuals who may be inadmissible to the United States or pose a potential threat to national security.

“Under the new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications,” the U.S. consulate stated.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the statement added. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission do not intend to harm.”

The embassy also noted that all applicants must credibly establish their eligibility for the visa they are requesting, including demonstrating that they intend to engage only in activities consistent with the terms of their admission.

This new measure follows a recent policy shift by the U.S. Department of State, which announced visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals involved in censoring Americans, signaling increased scrutiny in visa processing to safeguard U.S. interests.

Recently, the Embassy was offering scholarships for Costa Ricans to study in the U.S. through the Fulbright Program.

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