Archive · 27 Jun 2025
India Calls for Merit-Based US Visa Assessment
The US Embassy in India is now requiring people applying for visas to share all their social media usernames from the last five years on their application form.
If you don't provide this information, your visa could be rejected, and you may not be able to get a visa in the future.
The Indian government believes that all applications should be considered fairly, based on merit.
The US government views this to increase security and protect the visa application process.
India urges the US to evaluate Indian student visa applications based on merit.
US Embassy in India mandates disclosure of social media usernames on visa applications.
Applicants must provide all social media handles used in the last five years on the DS-160 form.
Omitting social media information can lead to visa denial and future ineligibility.
US aims to enhance security and ensure the integrity of the visa process.
- Who
- US visa applicants applying from India.
- What
- US requires visa applicants to disclose social media usernames.
- When
- Announcements made in June 2025.
- Where
- US Embassy in India.
- Why
- To enhance security and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
India
United States
Application evaluation
India
All visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit.
United States
The US Embassy is requesting social media handles on visa applications.
- Requirement
- Disclose social media usernames
- Timeframe
- Last five years
- Application Form
- DS-160
- Consequence
- Visa denial, future ineligibility
- Official Stance
- India wants applications to be assessed on merit.
Sources
Applying For A US Visa? You Need To Have A Public Social Media Account Now; Details Inside
Applying For US Visa? Now, You Have To Disclose All Social Media Handles From Past 5 Years
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Disclose all social media handles used in 5 years or risk visa ban, says US embassy in India
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