‘Make your social media profiles public immediately', US tells all student visa applicants
The
US Embassy
in India has announced stricter
visa screening measures
for applicants under the F, M, and J non immigrant visa categories, with immediate effect. The embassy has directed all student and exchange visitor applicants to set their social media profiles to 'public' to support identity verification and admissibility checks.
The directive is part of enhanced vetting procedures being implemented across US consular services globally.
'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non immigrant 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,' the US Embassy in India said on X.
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The announcement comes two days after the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a broader clarification regarding the nature of visas. The department had stated: 'A US visa is a privilege, not a right. The screening does not stop after it is issued.'
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As per the latest US State Department guidelines, every student visa adjudication is treated as a national security decision. Officials have been instructed to thoroughly examine applicants' intentions, especially regarding compliance with visa terms and potential national security risks.
Under the new protocol, US posts abroad, including those in India, will soon resume scheduling appointments for F, M, and J visa applications. Applicants have been advised to monitor embassy and consulate websites for updated availability.
The United States had restarted its student visa processing after a brief suspension, but new rules require foreign applicants to provide open access to their social media accounts. The US State Department made the announcement on June 19, linking the policy to national security concerns.
The expanded screening is expected to impact thousands of Indian students planning to travel to the US for the fall semester. With social media becoming a key part of the vetting process, immigration attorneys have urged students to review their online activity and ensure it aligns with their declared visa purpose.
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