New Visa Policy Requires Social Media Transparency for Foreign Students
US State Department's New Visa Guidelines
On June 19, the US Department of State revealed that it will restart the processing of visa applications for international students, but with a significant requirement: applicants must make their social media accounts accessible for government examination.
"With the implementation of new guidelines, we will perform an extensive vetting process, which includes reviewing the online presence of all applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant categories. To assist in this vetting, all applicants for these visa types will be required to set their social media profiles to 'public,'" stated the announcement from the US Department of State.
The State Department emphasized its dedication to safeguarding the nation and its citizens by maintaining the highest standards of national security and public safety throughout the visa application process, asserting that obtaining a US visa is a "privilege, not a right."
"We utilize all available information during our visa screening and vetting processes to identify applicants who may be inadmissible to the United States, particularly those who could pose a risk to national security," the statement elaborated.
The US State Department reiterated that each visa decision is fundamentally a matter of national security.
"It is crucial for the United States to remain vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that applicants do not intend to harm Americans or jeopardize national interests, and that they can convincingly demonstrate their eligibility for the visa, including their intention to engage in activities aligned with the terms of their admission," the statement continued.
Last month, the US indicated that the suspension of student visa interviews would conclude "sooner than later," urging applicants to proceed with their applications while regularly checking for updates on the resumption of standard services.
Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed US missions globally to halt student visa interviews to implement enhanced scrutiny of applicants' social media activities.
The Trump administration had intensified the examination of foreign students in US educational institutions following political unrest on campuses related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, targeting college administrations for not adequately protecting Jewish students and foreign students from involvement in protests.