US Visa Applicants from India Asked to Make Social Media Profiles Public for Vetting

The U.S. Embassy in India has issued an urgent directive for Indian students applying for study visas to the United States. Effective immediately, applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are required to change the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate official vetting.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy stated that the move is intended to help U.S. consular officers verify applicants’ identities and determine their eligibility under U.S. immigration laws. This screening process will involve a thorough review of applicants’ online presence, including social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Consular officials are now tasked with evaluating profiles for any content that suggests anti-American sentiment, associations with terrorist groups, antisemitic remarks, or other forms of hostile behavior toward the United States, its culture, institutions, and values.

An internal State Department cable dated June 18 outlines the expanded vetting process. The cable, reportedly sent by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, calls for “comprehensive and thorough” screening of all student and exchange visa applicants. Officers have been instructed to flag individuals with a history of political activism, especially if linked to violence or the ideologies outlined in the directive.

This policy marks a significant escalation in the visa screening process. Consular staff are also authorized to search for publicly available information across the internet, using tools such as search engines, LexisNexis, and other databases to build detailed digital profiles of applicants.

The Trump administration previously paused new student visa appointments on May 27, pending expansion of these screening measures. Although student visa appointments have since resumed, the new policies are expected to slow down the processing of applications due to the increased scrutiny involved.

Furthermore, consulates have been directed to prioritize applicants attending U.S. institutions where international students make up less than 15% of the total enrollment. This, combined with the enhanced vetting requirements, is likely to strain consular resources and delay application timelines for many students.

These new rules apply globally but carry particular significance for Indian students, who represent one of the largest groups of international students in the United States.

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