Archive · 23 Jun 2025
US Embassy Mandates Public Social Media for Visa Applicants
The US government wants to check social media of people who want student, exchange visitor, or other non-immigrant visas.
They have to make their social media public so the US can see their posts.
The US wants to make sure people are who they say they are and that they can be allowed into the US under US law.
The new rule has started now.
If students don't follow rules like going to class, they may lose their visa.
India hopes the US will be fair to Indian students.
US Embassy in New Delhi requires F, M, and J visa applicants to set social media accounts to public.
This directive aims to facilitate vetting for identity and admissibility.
The policy is effective immediately.
The U.S. mission also warned of visa revocation and deportation.
India expressed concern for Indian students and hopes for merit-based assessments.
- Who
- F, M, and J visa applicants.
- What
- F, M, and J visa applicants must make social media public.
- When
- Effective immediately.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To facilitate vetting and establish identity and admissibility.
US Perspective
India's Perspective
Vetting and Merit
US Perspective
Enhanced vetting is crucial for national security and to confirm identity and admissibility.
India's Perspective
India hopes that visa applications will be assessed based on merit for Indian students
- Policy Change
- Public social media requirement
- Affected Visas
- F, M, and J visas
- Implementation
- Effective immediately
- Purpose
- Facilitate vetting and establish identity
- Announcement Source
- US Embassy in New Delhi
- India's Stance
- Concern for Indian students, hopes for merit-based assessments
Sources
Policing Classrooms
Applying for a US student visa? Your social media must now be set to 'public', says embassy
US mandates public social media for visa applicants, sparks privacy concerns
Student visa applicants must make social media profiles public, reiterates US embassy
F, M, and J visa applicants to US must make social media accounts public, says Indian embassy
US wants F, M, J non-immigrant visa applicants to adjust social media settings
