US Student Visa introduces New Social Media Policies for International Applicants in 2025

The US has implemented a new measure requiring international student visa applicants to make at least one social media profile public for official scrutiny. This policy substantially alters the standard visa adjudication process and will therefore have a significant impact on international students who aspire to study in the country.

Students applying for study visas in the US will be subject to further pre-screening of their social media profiles. Those applying for an F, J or M student visa in USA will be a part of this scrutiny. Since the US student visa interviews have resumed, the new social media vetting policy has also kicked in. While US student interviews were halted for three weeks since May 27, 2025 because social media screening rules had to be added, the interviews have resumed from June 18, 2025. Check out what is it all about and how applicants can deal with this new step of scrutiny. 

What is the 2025 Social Media Screening Policy for US?

The latest guidelines to the US Embassy and all of its Consulates for social media vetting have been floated. There are certain proofs or evidence that US consular staff have been directed to look for, for international students coming to study in USA soon, and they are elaborated below. 

What Are Officials Looking For?

Consular officers have been instructed to examine profiles for expressions hostile to US citizens, or to U.S. government institutions, foundational values, or culture. What they are looking for in details for F1, J1 and M1 applicants is as follows: 

• Evaluating not just the applicant’s social media profiles, but also databases (LexisNexis) to be able to identify those who are hostile towards USA.
• Hostility can be shown through comments, posts or reactions to posts where US is in the picture, based on its specific policies or announcements.
• Applicants who pose a danger or threat to the US, its people or institutions based on their thought process and social media appearance will also be scrutinised and denied a visa for studying. 
• Consulates have been advised to flag instances where applicants have been involved in long-term political activism and will continue to do so while studying in the US. 
• Also, the Consular staff must highlight advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to US national security, and support for unlawful antisemitic (hostility towards Jews) harassment or violence.

Additionally, the officers have been instructed to gather evidence in the form of detailed notes and screenshots to substantiate the applicant’s involvement in hostile acts and to preserve evidence for future reference. These rules are also applicable for J1 exchange visitor visa students in USA. 

Examples of some hostility towards US is as follows:

1. Pro-Palestinian protests, posts or advocacy.
2. Protests against antisemitic ideologies or vocal hatred towards them.
3. Trade tariffs have been imposed on different countries, including India and China.
4. Immigration restrictions for non-immigrants and deporting those without authorised paperwork.
5. Hostility towards the political decisions of the US Government for its stand on different issues.
6. USA’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

These are some of the most sensitive issues and advocacy for any of these can threaten applicants in getting an F1 student visa for USA or any other visa types. 

Check: Why Students Still Prefer to Study in USA to Study Abroad in 2025?

International Students Affected by the Social Media Policy

With few exceptions, all applicants for F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visas are subject to the social media screening.

The policy is effective immediately and worldwide, irrespective of the applicant's nationality. Those who are applying to study in the US will have to go through the social media scrutiny process before getting their study visas for USA. Check out, How Temporary US Student Visa Interview Freeze Affecting Indian Students?

How Will Social Media Scrutiny Happen for US Student Visa?

Now that the latest rules for social media vetting for student visa interviews have been released, a few new guidelines have been introduced for international applicants. For US Consulars to scrutinise the applicants’ social media profiles, they will have to:

1. Submit their social media handles that they have been using in the past five years.
2. The details of social media handles will be included in the new and revamped DS-160 Form.
3. Applicants should set all their social media accounts to "public" so that US consular officers can access them fully for vetting.
4. Non-compliance of setting profiles for public settings can result in a student visa rejection under 221(g). 
5. Applicants must carefully complete the latest form, with authentic details and then submit it. 

NOTE: If applicants have already submitted their DS-160 form without including their social media profile information, they will need to submit a new application. Upon submitting the details of social media profiles on the latest DS-160 Form, they should get confirmation of submission. Only once this is done can applicants book their US student visa interview slots.

What International Applicants Should Be Aware of?

While the social media scrutiny will speed up, there are a couple of things applicants must be aware of:

• The whole online presence of an applicant is considered for review, including all the major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, etc. All posts, comments, likes, shares, and possibly even private messages, if accessible, may be examined to determine whether they contain material adverse to or threatening to US interests.
• All social media accounts must be set to "public," as anything less may be perceived as evasive and could harm an appeal. Applicants are advised to make sure that no account has been overlooked, especially those profiles that may be relatively older or seldom used.
• Any content is concerning if it can be interpreted, one way or another, as anti-American, anti-Semitic, supporting terrorism, or otherwise hostile to US values. Such content, even when sarcastic, humorous, or taken out of context, can be misinterpreted by officials unfamiliar with the cultural nuances.
• The US government considers visa issuance as a national security decision rather than a right. Suspicious content may lead to additional delays, questioning, or outright denial of the visa application.

Applicants must carefully use their social media accounts and avoid commenting or reacting to any new posts which can be hostile towards USA and can be questioned during the F1 Visa Interview. 

Navigating Social Media for Your US Student Visa Application

Because the new regime scrutinises internet footprints of student visa applicants, you need to make the same oath, swearing to give due importance to your online presence as with your academic records. Here is a comprehensive guide, packed with tips and techniques, on preparing your social networking profiles for the US student visa process.

1. Conduct a Thorough Social Media Audit

List every single social media account ever created by you, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, YouTube, even some hardly-used ones. From the recent post, one could take note of the accounts and their usernames or handles, along with the details that need to be submitted for social media screening.

2. Avoid Deleting Contents with Risks

According to expert advice, it is advisable for applicants not to delete their social media posts, as their past activity can be tracked. This is because deleting content can make Consular staff suspicious if LexisNexis detects it. Additionally, the sudden deletion of content or posts can raise alarms at US Consulates. It's generally better to leave your social media accounts as they are, without deleting or modifying content, and be prepared to discuss them during your interview.

3. Modify Privacy Audiences

Effective immediately, all individuals applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas are required 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. Instead of deleting content, focus on managing your privacy settings. Understand that US policy may allow for scrutiny of public profiles. While you may want to ensure problematic content isn't easily accessible, be aware that setting everything to completely private might also be viewed with suspicion. A balanced approach is often best: review your content and adjust privacy settings to limit the visibility of anything that could be misconstrued, rather than outright deleting it. For old or rarely used accounts, consider archiving or deactivating them if they cannot be thoroughly reviewed. However, be prepared to explain the decision if asked. 

4. Consider Your Associations

Be sure to cut off all contact with anyone or organisations that promote hatred, violence, or anti-American feelings. Leave any groups that may be perceived as radical, controversial, or opposed to American interests, US education system or any policies that have come in for US universities recently.

5. Future Proof Your Social Media

From now on, treat every post like it will be read by a consular officer. Thus, post with caution. Avoid engaging in arguments, especially those related to politics, religion, and international relations. Share accomplishments, what your primary interests are in university, volunteering work you've done, and what hobbies you have that paint your character in a positive light.

Implications of Social Media Scrutiny for Students Applying to the US

The new policy has introduced a level of anxiety for prospective students, who now must carefully examine their online persona or risk acting as an innocent that might cost them years of investment and preparation. Many students worry that an innocent or misunderstood post could hinder a years-long academic preparation and investment.

• New screening procedures may increase the overall processing time for a US student visa application, particularly because consular officers will be more actively reviewing a candidate's online activity.
• Applicants may face delays in making their travel plans and securing accommodation in the USA.
• This policy is likely to weaken the US's reputation as a welcoming place for international talent, creating uncertainty and potentially deterring the best students from applying.
• The US government insists that these measures are essential for national security, but many opponents argue that they may violate free expression, personal privacy rights, and due process.
• Barring potential applicants from entering the US in the future as tourists as well.
• Finally, a big applicant pool or 15% of the international student pool can get affected in the upcoming Spring intake of USA. 

The US government’s decision to increase scrutiny on the social media accounts of student visa applicants is a systematic inclusion of social media vetting into the student visa application process. Students must not only submit their details to US officials, but also treat their online persona as an extension of the application that would be examined. With every photo, post, like, and comment aligning with what US officials believe are their expectations and values. 

While the policy may be designed to provide some level of security, for international students, it presents another source of concern and confusion that may affect their overall attitude toward studying in the US. Students vying to study in the United States must carefully and proactively manage their social media accounts.