US government makes new Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media account requirement must for these US visas
The
US State Department
announced that it will resume processing student visa applications after a month-long suspension, but with a significant new requirement: all applicants must make their social media accounts public for government review.
International students applying for F, M, and J visas must now change their privacy settings to allow consular officers to examine their "entire online presence" for signs of hostility toward America, its citizens, culture, or government institutions. Those who refuse to comply may face visa denial, officials warned.
The policy affects over 400,000 annual student visa applicants and comes as part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on universities and international education.
What students must do now
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Visa applicants must set all social media profiles to public viewing and cannot limit access during the screening process. Consular officers will search for content indicating "hostile attitudes" toward the United States, support for designated terrorist organizations, or engagement in antisemitic harassment or violence.
The State Department warned that "limited access to, or visibility of, online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity." Officers are instructed to take detailed notes and screenshots for additional review.
The screening extends beyond social media to include searches of online databases like LexisNexis, creating comprehensive digital profiles of applicants.
Processing delays expected
Embassies have been instructed to prioritize students attending colleges where international students comprise less than 15% of enrollment. The enhanced vetting process may strain consular resources, potentially leading to fewer scheduled appointments and longer wait times.
Universities face funding pressures
The visa changes coincide with the administration's targeting of elite universities over pro-Palestinian campus protests. Harvard University has had $2.65 billion in federal grants frozen, while Trump has attempted to cap international enrollment at prestigious institutions to 15% of their student bodies.
Currently, about 200 U.S. universities exceed this threshold, including all eight Ivy League schools. International students contribute over $40 billion annually to the American economy.
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