New Visa Vetting Process for F, M, J Applicants

Dear international students and scholars,

The ISSO hopes you are doing well this summer. As you may already be aware, the visa application process for both new and returning F, M, and J (FMJ) status holders has recently been updated by the Department of State (DOS). We want to ensure that you are informed of what to expect if you plan on applying for a student visa for the first time or renewing an existing visa.

Broadly, a reported DOS cable has instructed consular officers take the following steps when processing FMJ applications:

Step 1 – Conduct Standard Intake and Interview (Initial Eligibility)

• A consular officer will conduct standard visa interview and decide if an FMJ applicant is “otherwise eligible” for the requested status per the federal regulatory definitions & requirements of each category
  • As an example, one of the key points of eligibility for these visa categories is nonimmigrant intent – applicants must reasonably show that they plan to return to their home country after completing their studies
• If the officer determines the applicant is ineligible under regular standards, they will be refused without further vetting under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provisions 214(b), 214(a), or 212(b).

Step 2 – Conduct Expanded Vetting

• If a consular officer finds the applicant is otherwise eligible per the criteria in step 1, the officer must then conduct expanded vetting by issuing an INA 221(g) administrative processing mechanism by:
  • Refusing the case under INA 221(g)
  • Informing the applicant that their case requires additional administrative processing to establish eligibility for the visa
  • Requesting that the applicant set all of his social media accounts to ‘public’
  • Reminding the applicant that limited access to, or visibility of, online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity
• During this step, the application will likely appear as “Refused” in the applicant’s CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center)

Step 3 – Consider Results of Vetting & Adjudicate Application

• What information could indicate inadmissibility during social media vetting?
  • Local media showing applicant has been charged with a crime
  • Inconsistencies between online content and how applicant presented themselves and/or other supporting evidence provided
  • Political activism, especially when associated with violence
  • Terrorism support, anti-Semitic activities, or potentially “hostile attitudes” toward the United States
  • Unlawful employment or other indications of engaging in potentially unlawful activity
• Once vetting is completed, if no “potentially derogatory information” is found (or is otherwise resolved), the consular officer may reactivate the “Refused” case and approve the visa, after which the applicant’s CEAC should reflect “Issued”

Dropbox Visa Renewals

At this time it has not yet been clarified how these updated procedures may affect the option to renew an existing visa by dropbox method. You will need to seek the online resources of the specific consulate where you plan to renew to determine your options and requirements. However, the cable transcription states that this update “covers all FMJ applicants, new or returning”. With this in mind, even if the dropbox method of renewal is available to you, we strongly suggest that you follow the instructions in Step 2 above and set your social media accounts to “public” for the duration of the renewal to minimize administrative processing issues.

The ISSO is here for you

Our office strives to keep you informed of important immigration updates to ensure you have the necessary information to manage your educational goals in the U.S. and at UT Dallas. The ISSO intends to continue supporting you through every step of your journey.

Warm regards,

ISSO Advising Team

International Students and Scholars Office

isso.utdallas.edu/advising/