Washington, D.C.: The United States has issued a new directive requiring all applicants for F, M, and J category non-immigrant visas to set their social media accounts to public mode. The U.S. government has made it clear that failure to comply with this condition may result in denial of entry into the country.
This move is part of an enhanced screening process aimed at identifying individuals who may be ineligible for U.S. visas. The directive takes immediate effect and applies to foreign nationals applying for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visas.
Authorities have advised applicants to modify their social media privacy settings and ensure transparency in their online activity. The U.S. has reiterated that obtaining a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that all applicants are subject to rigorous vetting procedures.
Since 2019, the U.S. has been collecting social media identifiers from both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants as part of its security protocols. In line with efforts to broaden the scope of social media screening, the State Department had temporarily paused new visa interview scheduling for international students last month.
On June 18, the department announced the resumption of this process, confirming that all student visa applicants must now provide access to their social media accounts as part of their application.
The U.S. Embassy in India has also cautioned that individuals found violating American laws or involved in drug use while on student or tourist visas may be deemed ineligible for future visa approvals.