US Embassy in Banjul Requests Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public

Banjul, The Gambia , June 23, 2025 - The United States Embassy in Banjul has issued a statement requesting all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas to set their social media profiles to “public” as part of enhanced security vetting procedures. The directive follows a recent U.S. Presidential Proclamation aimed at restricting entry to foreign nationals deemed potential threats to national security.

The Embassy shared the update via its official Facebook page, stating:

“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested 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 U.S. law.”

This announcement means Gambian students, exchange visitors, and vocational trainees seeking to study or participate in academic programs in the U.S. must now ensure consular officers can access their online profiles during the visa review process.

The Embassy further explained that the move is aligned with a Presidential Proclamation on Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, which came into effect on June 9, 2025.

According to the statement, visa applicants from countries identified under the proclamation may still submit applications and attend interviews, but they could ultimately be found ineligible for visa issuance or U.S. entry based on the outcome of the security screening.

Concerns Over Privacy and Discrimination

The new requirement has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates and student groups worldwide, who argue that forcing applicants to expose their social media profiles undermines privacy and could suppress freedom of expression.

“This kind of blanket screening risks turning subjective opinions and political beliefs into grounds for exclusion,” said a Gambian education consultant who requested anonymity. “Many students are now second-guessing what they post online, even when it’s unrelated to security.”

While the U.S. State Department insists that the policy is designed to strengthen national security and identity verification, critics argue that it could disproportionately affect individuals from Muslim-majority countries and those who post politically sensitive content.

Implications for Gambian Students

The United States remains one of the top destinations for Gambian students seeking higher education abroad, particularly through scholarship programs such as the Fulbright and private sponsorships. This new development may complicate the process for many aspiring applicants.

Local student advocacy networks are urging applicants to carefully review the content of their social media profiles and consider the risks and benefits of making them public.

The U.S. Embassy has advised applicants to visit travel.state.gov for further details on the proclamation and updated visa requirements.

Gunjur Online will continue monitoring this story and providing updates relevant to Gambian nationals affected by the new U.S. visa policies.