New US Visa Rules Require International Students to Keep Social Media Public

International students applying for US visas are now required to keep their social media profiles public throughout the application process and the validity of their visas. This new regulation aims to facilitate thorough vetting by US authorities. The requirement was announced by a US Embassy spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the vetting process. Recent data shows a decline in the number of Indian students in the US, highlighting the impact of these new guidelines. Read on to learn more about the implications of these changes for prospective students.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 20, 2025, 10:16 IST

Mandatory Public Social Media Profiles for Visa Applicants

International students aiming to study in the United States are now required to maintain their social media accounts in public view, not only during the visa application process but also throughout the duration of their visa, as reported by a leading news outlet.

A spokesperson from the US Embassy in New Delhi stated, “All applicants for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) must set their social media profiles to ‘public’ to assist in the necessary vetting process for determining their eligibility for entry into the United States.”

This vetting is conducted from the moment the application is submitted, through the visa adjudication process, and continues while the visa remains valid.

In June, the US government mandated that all student and exchange visitor visa applicants must unlock their social media profiles for review.

The US Department of State announced that new regulations for processing student visa applications would include a detailed examination of applicants' online presence.

In May, the previous administration had instructed US embassies globally to halt scheduling student visa appointments until further notice. However, student visa interviews resumed under the new guidelines on June 18.

According to these new regulations, consular officers are directed to scrutinize applications for signs of applicants who may harbor negative sentiments towards American citizens, culture, government, or foundational principles, as reported by a news agency.

Recent data presented to the Indian Parliament indicated that the number of Indian students in the US dropped to 204,058 in 2024, a decrease of nearly 13% from 234,473 in 2023.