New U.S. Visa Requirement: Social Media Accounts Must Be Public

A recent announcement from the U.S. Embassy in India mandates that applicants for certain non-immigrant visas must set their social media accounts to public. This change is part of a stricter vetting process aimed at enhancing national security. The U.S. has also introduced a travel ban affecting several countries, although India remains unaffected. However, Indian applicants are facing long delays in processing times. Read on to understand the implications of these new regulations and how they may impact your visa application.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 23, 2025, 20:10 IST

Important Changes for U.S. Visa Applicants

If you're considering applying for a U.S. visa, be aware of a new requirement that mandates applicants to modify their social media privacy settings prior to submission. On June 23, the U.S. Embassy in India announced that individuals applying for specific non-immigrant visas must switch their social media profiles to public. This initiative is part of a more rigorous vetting process aimed at bolstering security measures. The embassy's official account on X stated, “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. 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 personal social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”

Details from the U.S. Embassy

The embassy also highlighted that since 2019, visa applicants have been required to disclose their social media identifiers on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications. They emphasized, “We utilize all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States, including those posing a threat to national security.”

Countries Affected by New Travel Restrictions

In addition, the U.S. government has introduced a comprehensive travel ban for 2025, which completely prohibits nationals from 12 countries and imposes partial visa access limitations on seven others. This decision is primarily focused on enhancing national security and addresses concerns related to terrorism and security vulnerabilities. The countries most impacted are predominantly located in the Middle East and Africa, where citizens now face a total ban on all types of visas, including those for tourism, education, and employment. Meanwhile, seven other nations will experience partial restrictions, which involve stricter screening processes or limited visa categories.

Despite these changes, the U.S. has confirmed that India is not included in the travel ban list. Visa applications from Indian nationals are still being processed across all categories, including B1/B2 tourist visas, H1B work permits, and F1 student visas. However, applicants from India are experiencing significant delays due to high demand and administrative backlogs, with many U.S. consulates in India scheduling interview appointments up to 10-12 months in advance. Thus, while India is not directly affected by the new travel ban, the lengthy processing times may still disrupt travel plans, educational pursuits, and job opportunities for many individuals.