Though privacy advocates have raised concerns, US officials defend the policy as essential for detecting fraud and protecting national security, citing lax vetting under President Biden as enabling immigration loopholes
Published Jun 23, 2025 | 7:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2025 | 6:38 PM
US student visa (iStock)
Synopsis: The US Embassy in India has directed F, M, and J visa applicants, including students, to make their social media accounts public for background checks. The move follows the recent resumption of student visa processing, which had been paused last month under a Trump-era directive aimed at enhancing security. The announcement was made via the embassy’s official X handle
In a new directive aimed at strengthening background checks, the US Embassy in India has asked all applicants for F, M, and J category non-immigrant visas—including student and exchange program applicants—to make their social media accounts public.
The announcement, made via the Embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, comes days after the US State Department resumed student visa processing.
The process had been temporarily halted last month under a directive by former President Donald Trump’s administration, citing the need for enhanced security measures.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public,” the embassy stated.
“This is to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.”
Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant 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… pic.twitter.com/xotcfc3Qdo
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 23, 2025
The move aligns with broader efforts by US immigration authorities to step up scrutiny of applicants’ digital presence.
Officials have indicated that visa officers will now assess applicants’ posts and online activity for any anti-American sentiments or content critical of US institutions, people, or values.
While the directive has sparked concerns among privacy advocates, US officials argue the policy is necessary to detect potential fraud and maintain national security.
They also claimed that lax vetting under President Joe Biden’s administration had allowed loopholes in the immigration system.
The embassy has yet to clarify whether failure to make accounts public could lead to visa rejections, but has emphasized compliance as part of the background check process.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
