From 1 October, Brazilian media professionals applying for U.S. I-category visas—and their dependants in TN/TD status—must ensure their social-media accounts are publicly viewable throughout the adjudication period, according to guidance issued by the U.S. Embassy in Brasília late on 30 September. The rule expands a 2020 policy that already covered student, exchange and several temporary-worker visa classes. Security rationale – The U.S. State Department says open profiles allow consular officers to verify identity and spot links to extremist content more quickly, reducing the need for in-person document requests. Officials stress that failure to comply may lead to “administrative processing” or outright refusal. Practical implications – Brazilian news outlets routinely rotate correspondents through Washington and New York on short notice. HR and mobility teams must now audit reporters’ Instagram, X/Twitter and LinkedIn settings before scheduling CASV biometrics, adding a new checkpoint to already tight deployment timelines. Freelance journalists—often using personal accounts for both professional and private content—face additional privacy dilemmas. Broader trend – The move underscores Washington’s growing reliance on open-source intelligence in visa screening and could foreshadow similar requirements in other categories. Corporate travellers under TN (USMCA) and their TD family members are also affected, relevant for Brazilian dual nationals employed by Canadian or Mexican firms. Compliance tips – Applicants should keep user names consistent with passport data, remove pseudonyms, and avoid deleting posts after submission, which automated tools may flag as manipulation. Mobility managers are advising travellers to capture date-stamped screenshots of profile visibility settings to document compliance in case files are returned for review.
Source: CNN Brasil
