The US Embassy in Bangkok has again announced that all applicants for a wide range of US nonimmigrant visas must set their social media accounts to public. The requirement is effective immediately and applies to multiple visa categories, with officials stating it is intended to support identity verification and admissibility screening under US law. Failure to comply will result in delays to visa processing.

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The embassy posted the update on its official Facebook page on Monday 21 April, stating that the policy is designed to facilitate vetting procedures. It applies to applicants for A-3, C-3 (domestic worker), G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T and U nonimmigrant visa categories. Applicants are required to adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts to public to allow screening authorities to review available information.

The announcement follows ongoing efforts by US authorities to strengthen visa vetting procedures globally, particularly where identity verification and admissibility assessments are concerned. According to the embassy statement, social media review is used as part of the broader screening process conducted under US immigration law.

The announcement prompted mixed reactions on the embassy’s social media post. Some users criticised the measure as an invasion of privacy and raised concerns about transparency and civil liberties. Others questioned how the policy would apply to applicants who do not use social media platforms. A smaller number of commenters expressed support, arguing that stricter screening could improve security and immigration control.

The embassy did not indicate any exemptions for applicants without social media accounts, nor did it provide additional detail on how the information gathered would be assessed beyond its stated role in confirming identity and admissibility.

The Bangkokpost reported that applicants affected by the rule will need to ensure compliance with the new requirements before submitting or progressing visa applications, or risk delays in processing times. Further clarification from US immigration authorities may emerge as the policy is implemented across visa services in Bangkok and other posts.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 21 Apr 2026

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I mean really now anyone wanting to go to USA should not have anything to hide, especially on their social media accounts :)

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

Have fun staying in Thailand fools.

Don't forget to file your Thai taxes too for the great benefit of the people! You will receive many, many farang benefit! Very nice!

Is that relevant to Thais applying for USA Visas?

Good, this is LONG over due

About time Thailand does the same for all visa applicants from the US.

When you think the US can't possibly get any worse...

Who in their right mind wants to go there now anyway.

In 3 years, when these goons are gone, maaaybe.

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

Have fun staying in Thailand fools.

Don't forget to file your Thai taxes too for the great benefit of the people! You will receive many, many farang benefit! Very nice!

Have you even read the article?

The champion of free speech and human rights has finally revealed its true face!

Lots better places to go than the US especially in light of the goons currently running things there now,

If anyone really feels the need to visit the US, just tell them you don't have social media accounts.

13 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

Who in their right mind wants to go there now anyway.

A mate from Hamburg with his girl friend. I was kind of shocked.

Gave him some hints about prices 😁

Do you have to disclose your AN account ?🤣

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Is that relevant to Thais applying for USA Visas?

I was COPING

19 minutes ago, The Alien said:

The champion of free speech and human rights has finally revealed its true face!

Beyond a <deleted> joke so it is. Invasive reach beyond any country barring regimes.

Who on earth would want to go to the USA then?

The one time I went there was more than enough.

With the question they ask: “Hello, how are you today?”

And if you reply to that and ask the same question in return, you won’t get an answer.

It’s all fake, an act, or whatever you want to call it.

57 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

When you think the US can't possibly get any worse...

Who in their right mind wants to go there now anyway.

In 3 years, when these goons are gone, maaaybe.

It isn't only the 'goons'. Don't forget that more than 77,000,000 voted for Trump, a convicted felon, a six-time bankrupt etc etc etc as the person they wanted to represent the USA. The problem there is far, far deeper than him and his mafia gang.

4 hours ago, PhilipHabib said:

I mean really now anyone wanting to go to USA should not have anything to hide, especially on their social media accounts :)

Is that MAGA's understanding of free speech?

It was not meant to be an INSTRUCTION MANUAL!

12 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It isn't only the 'goons'. Don't forget that more than 77,000,000 voted for Trump, a convicted felon, a six-time bankrupt etc etc etc as the person they wanted to represent the USA. The problem there is far, far deeper than him and his mafia gang.

That's what happens when you only have 2 choices

... one you can actually understand what he says, and answers questions

... the other, talks for an hour, and hadn't said anything, except she's open to have that conversation

So the voter has to decide, if they are happy with the way things are, and want to stay on that path, or want to change, to someone, they have a ball park idea, since president already, what his plan for the future may be.

They've spoken with their vote ... deal with it.

They get to decide again in 2.5 yrs. In a half year, they can limit what he & party does by voting again. System has worked for couple hundred years. Stop crying.

The power can shift every 2 years, so people have some kind of control if unhappy. Voters should be concerned about the people they keep reelecting, not the ones with little power and gone in 4 yrs time.

On topic (as always), simply start an online account, don't post stupid, anti USA crap, and don't tell embassy of real accounts you use.

I don't have any online presence in my real name, except banking. and one email account. Which I don't use anywhere, except on the USA banking/investment account & Thai bank & Imm.

Just buy an old phone (Nokia) without internet access - calls & texts only then 0 problem & use laptop

2 hours ago, phetphet said:

If anyone really feels the need to visit the US, just tell them you don't have social media accounts.

Lying? Deportable offense. Receiving Visa under false pretense.

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

Is that MAGA's understanding of free speech?

say anything you want ... you will just be held accountable for what you say if it criticizes.

I found this out last week and the embassy has been denying applicants for years because of the truths that social media uncovered. My wife has clean accounts but for all those guys trying to get a visa for their ex-bar girl partner, it is a nightmare. The women can clean up their accounts but some will be left with zero media and posts afterwards if they took out the all the problematic media.

I have read many posts here how there partner was denied but they were the perfect applicant. Loads of money in the bank...

Without a solid work history, money in the bank for years, long term assets (not tiny village homes) or for that matter only one big asset, the applicant will probably be denied. How many of you have wifes would meet these requirements. Most of my ex partners wouldn't even come close.

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

How can that be?

Donnie lies big multiple times every day and he's not banned from being in the US.

Hard not to agree with the above and I probably disagree often with your views. His relationship with the truth is strange to say the least.

2 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

Who on earth would want to go to the USA then?

Why don't you go down to the US Embassy and take a look. You'll get your answer. Every time I've had an appointment there, the line of Thais outside the embassy waiting for their visa appointments stretches down the street. Does that happen at your embassy?

what if 1

- you despise facebook and don't have an account, nor want one

2- you were hardware ID banned by those clowns over some joke you posted and can never register again, aka autoban

7 hours ago, PhilipHabib said:

I mean really now anyone wanting to go to USA should not have anything to hide, especially on their social media accounts :)

I guess you're in favor of Big Brother and doxxing. Some people happen to like privacy just for the sake of privacy and anonymity.

Since you do not like privacy, you won't mind if someone doxxes you, posts your true name and address, your tax returns, bank statements, online browsing history, hacks into your hard drive, etc.?

All of that is pretty simple, even if you use a VPN or TOR. In an old position of mine, we did that to suspected terrorists. If you want, I can ask some of my old colleagues to do you.

Nothing to hide, right?

8 hours ago, PhilipHabib said:

I mean really now anyone wanting to go to USA should not have anything to hide, especially on their social media accounts :)

Never trust any agency of the U.S.government to take an innocent comment and twist it and turn to make it anti-American. This is even more likely under the reigning monarch.

It makes me laugh how the MAGA cultists always say that there's no freedom in Europe, you can get locked up for mean tweets yada yada yada.

Projection is admission.

How insane is this? It's perfectly legitimate that some people want to share their social media activities only with friends and family, not with the general public.

If the embassy really wants to know something, can't they just ask the NSA or their tech bro buddies? Why burden the applicant with this nonsense.

^ There's no freedom in Europe, you can get locked up for mean tweets.

30 arrests a day in the UK.

They want your social media not just for anti-Trump or US but very much

for anti- israel.

Probably use israeli software to crawl through all your posts.

A forum like AN , is that social media ?