Bangladeshi nationals applying for certain United States visa categories must now make all social media accounts publicly accessible as part of enhanced vetting procedures, US Embassy in Dhaka announced.

Requirement applies to H-1B work visa applicants and their H-4 dependents, F and M student visa seekers, and J exchange visitors. Applicants must adjust privacy settings across all social media platforms to public before visa interviews.

"Applicants are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law," US Embassy stated on its official website.

Policy forms part of Trump administration's expanded immigration screening measures implemented since January 2025. Authorities will review social media posts, interactions and content to assess applicants' backgrounds and potential security risks.

Requirement creates privacy concerns for applicants who must expose personal communications, family photographs and private conversations to government scrutiny. Many Bangladeshi professionals and students maintain active social media presence for personal and professional networking.

Failure to comply with social media disclosure requirements may result in visa application rejection or additional administrative processing delays. Embassy provided no timeline for how long accounts must remain public or whether settings can be changed after visa approval.

Policy adds to mounting challenges facing Bangladeshi visa seekers following introduction of mandatory bonds ranging from USD 5,000-15,000 for B1 or B2 visa categories. Combined requirements create significant financial and privacy barriers for potential travellers.

Human rights advocates have criticised social media vetting as invasive surveillance violating privacy rights and free speech protections.

Source: US Embassy Dhaka.