U.S. student visa interviews resume worldwide: What the new Social Media rule means

The United States has resumed student visa interviews with a significant change: applicants must now make their social media profiles public. Consular officers will review platforms used over the past five years to assess online behavior, looking for anti-American sentiment or extremist views. This new policy aims to enhance national security by thoroughly scrutinizing applicants' digital footprints.
Good news for students! The United States has resumed processing student visa interviews across the globe after a temporary pause. However, there has been a significant new change which applicants must know.
Starting now, those wishing to apply for a student visa will have to make their social media profiles public.
Yes, you read that right! The new policy was implemented by the U.S. State Department. The main aim of this new change is to increase national security by reviewing the online presence of visa applicants more thoroughly.
More about the Social Media Rule
As per new rule, the consular officers will have to check all social media platforms used by student visa applicants over the past five years.
These include F-1 academic visas, M-1 vocational visas, and J-1 exchange visitor visas.
If someone attempts to delete, hide or restrict access to social media content may raise red flags during the visa review process.
This new change follows an internal State Department directive. The social media will help scrutinise the online behavior of the applicant. It could indicate anti-American sentiment, extremist beliefs, or support for violence.
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Not only this, even deleted or edited content may be captured in screenshots for further evaluation. As per the guidance, all social media handles, including the ones which are no longer in use, will have to be mentioned.
As per a cable from the State Department, American citizens expect their government to increase national security, especially when it comes to the visa system. 'Secretary Rubio is helping to make America and its universities safer while bringing the State Department into the 21st century,' the message said.
Though visa interviews have now resumed with consular officers spending significant time reviewing applicant's digital histories.
So now students applying for a U.S. visa, it's important to maintain complete transparency by mentioning every social media account they have used so far. Make sure content is viewable. Don't delete if you are planning to apply. With digital behavior now playing a central role in U.S. visa decisions, what students post on their social media platforms could play a significant role in their academic future.
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