People

US Embassy Orders Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public

Published 19 May 2026

by Ruth Sekyi

2 min read

The US Department of State has officially expanded its strict online screening and vetting program for a wide range of non-immigrant visa applicants
Effective immediately, targeted applicants, including students, workers, and fiancés, are instructed to change the privacy settings on all their social media handles to "public" or "open"
Consular authorities stated that the measure is a national security decision designed to facilitate thorough identity vetting and establish visa eligibility before approval

Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Prospective travellers planning journeys to the United States will now have to give consular officers an unrestricted backstage pass to their digital lives.

US Department of State, visa application rules, non-immigrant visas, social media privacy, identity vetting, travel to the United States, Embassy, digital privacy settings, security measures, visa eligibility criteria — The US Embassy reportedly expands online screening for non-immigrant visa applicants with a new rule requiring private social media accounts to be made public. Image credit: mediaphotos/iStock
Source: UGC

As shared by GHOne TV on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the US Embassy in Ghana has rolled out updated protocols requiring specific visa applicants to pull down their digital privacy walls.

"Effective immediately, all individuals applying for a non-immigrant visa must change their social media profiles to "public," the GHOne TV Instagram post reads.

Reactions to new visa application rules

The announcement on GHOne TV's platforms has triggered a mix of confusion, anxiety, and humour among Ghanaian netizens:

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

@Emmanuel_Quaku_Ayenaga wrote:

"Aarrh... by force saa? 😂😂 Make we fix our own country and live in it peacefully wae. The rules are getting too exhausting."

@Flexy_Brave_Hearted questioned:

"What if the applicant genuinely has no active social media account? Will they say you are lying and deny you the visa?"

@Bonnie_Nana_Isaac asked:

"I am asking oo, do we also ask Americans coming down to Ghana to make their FB profiles public? Reciprocity should matter in international relations."

@Speak_Reuben joked:

"What about those of us who locked our profiles three years ago but forgot the password to log in and unlock it? 😔 We are stranded."

@Eric_Adomako_Gyasi added a spiritual twist:

"So what will God demand of us before entering heaven if an earthly embassy is asking for public Facebook access? This world is something else."

Berneese gets a US visa approved

Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that Ghanaian social media influencer Berneese announced that her US visa had been approved.

In a post on her X page on April 20, 2026, Berneese shared what transpired when she went to the US Embassy for her visa interview.

JOIN IN: Suspicious Content In Your Feed? Bust It With Our Free and Brief Fact-Checking Course. Get a Certificate!

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:

Ruth Sekyi (Entertainment Editor) Ruth Esi Amfua Sekyi is a Human Interest Editor at YEN.com.gh with 4+ years' experience across radio, print, TV, and digital media. She holds a B.A. in Communications (PR) from UNIMAC-IJ. Her media career began at Radio GIJ (campus radio), followed by Prime News Ghana. At InstinctWave, she worked on business content, playing major role in events organized by the company. She also worked with ABC News GH, updating their site, served as Production Assistant. In 2025, Ruth completed the ECOWAS, GIZ, and MFWA Information Integrity training. Email: ruth.sekyi@yen.com.gh

Hot:

Prince elisha osei kofi Will sonbuchner Afcon 2025 Best senior high schools Kylian mbappe