US mandates public social media for student visa seekers

All international students seeking to study in the US will require to set their social media accounts to public, a move that US authorities say is aimed at ensuring national security and public safety.

The rule will apply to those seeking F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) non-immigrant visas, the US embassy in New Delhi said on Monday.

“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 under US law,” the embassy said.

The US State Department reasons that this step is part of its effort to uphold “the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”

“A US visa is a privilege, not a right. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the US, including those who pose a threat to US national security,” it said.

Under the new guidelines, consular officers will review online activity across platforms such as Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok. They will examine whether applicants express “hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles” or show any links to “extremist ideology” or “anti-American sentiment.”

This requirement applies to applicants from all countries.

Since 2019, visa applicants have been required to list their social media profile on application forms, but making their profiles public marks a new phase in vetting.

The move comes after a pause in student visa interview appointments last month, as the US broadened its scrutiny of applicants’ social media posts. Interviews resumed on June 18, with the updated requirement in place.

This development is part of overhaul and tightening of US immigration policy in recent years. According to earlier reports, the approval rate for student visas has dropped from around 99% to approximately 70% in the past six months, given increased scrutiny and rejections.

Meanwhile, even though the US continues to be a favourite destination for higher studies among Indian students, experts have reportedly noted shifting trends. Indian students account for 3.31 lakh international enrolments in 2023-24.

In 2023, over 140,000 student visas were issued in India, more than in any other country. Of these, 86,110 were F-1 visas granted in 2024.

The H-1B visa, often used by F-1 holders to stay on after graduation, is also undergoing review. Any changes to post-study work visas could further impact student preferences.

Canada and Australia, also popular among Indian students, have introduced their own restrictions on international enrolments. This has left Europe as the viable option for Indian students.