US Embassy Mandates Public Social Media Profiles for F, M, J Visa Applicants

“Effective immediately: If you are applying for an F, M, or J visa, ensure that your social media settings are set to ‘public.’ A consular officer must be able to see the information you provide on your application. Your application may not be accepted if this information is set to ‘private,’” the embassy said in its statement.

In a move set to impact thousands of Indian students and exchange visitors, the US Embassy in India has made it mandatory for all F, M, and J non-immigrant visa applicants to ensure their social media profiles are publicly visible. The announcement, made via an official post on X, is effective immediately.

“Effective immediately: If you are applying for an F, M, or J visa, ensure that your social media settings are set to ‘public.’ A consular officer must be able to see the information you provide on your application. Your application may not be accepted if this information is set to ‘private,’” the embassy said in its statement.

What This Means for Visa Applicants

This new directive requires all applicants under the F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories to:

Set all listed social media accounts to public visibility before attending their visa interview.

Ensure that the social media handles provided on the visa application form match active and accessible public profiles.

The embassy has clarified that this change is part of the visa adjudication process, allowing consular officers to verify online information as part of applicant screening.

Implications and Reactions

The move is expected to have widespread implications for Indian students preparing to join U.S. universities in the upcoming academic session. Students are now advised to:

Review their privacy settings on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.

Avoid using handles that are inaccessible or misleading.

Be cautious of any content that might raise concerns during consular review.

While the directive aims to enhance transparency and vetting efficiency, it has raised concerns about digital privacy and the blurred lines between personal expression and immigration scrutiny.

Reminder for Stakeholders

Students, exchange scholars, and vocational trainees planning to apply for US visas in the coming months should treat this requirement as non-negotiable and adjust their social media settings accordingly to avoid delays or denials.