TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese applying for visas that involve extended stays, work, or study must open their social media accounts for US screening beginning next week. 

The American Institute in Taiwan announced on Facebook on Wednesday that starting Dec. 15, applicants for H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must set their social media accounts to “public," per CNA. This is to “facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,” AIT said.

According to AIT’s website, the H-1B visa is for professional workers in “specialty occupations.” The H-4 visa is for dependents of H visa holders, who are not allowed to work while in the US. 

The F visa is for students, while the M visa is for participation in non-academic or vocational study or training at a US educational institution. The J visa is for exchange visitors participating in programs approved by the US State Department.

Reuters reported on Dec. 3 that the US State Department sent a cable to all US posts abroad on Dec. 2, ordering increased scrutiny of H-1B visa applicants with high-tech expertise. Applicants and their accompanying family members’ resumes or LinkedIn profiles will be reviewed to determine whether they have worked in areas including disinformation, misinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance, and online safety.