‘Make Your Profile Public’: New US Visa Rule Sparks Worry Among Indian Students
The U.S. Department of State has resumed processing student visas for Fall 2025, but with a critical new requirement: all applicants must make their social media accounts public. The announcement, made on June 18, has sparked concern and confusion among Indian students, many of whom are already under pressure due to earlier delays in visa interviews.
Greg Pardo, spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, confirmed to The Free Press Journal that F, M, and J visa applicants will now undergo comprehensive online vetting. “To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’,” he said.
The embassy also reiterated its commitment to national security: “We will conduct thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants… while upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety.”
While visa scheduling is now resuming, students are being advised to check consulate websites regularly for appointment availability. However, many Indian applicants are still in limbo, frustrated by the uncertainty and additional layers of scrutiny.
“I’ve deleted a few of my social media accounts and locked all my accounts,” said 21-year-old Indian student who wishes to keep her name anonymous, who has been admitted to a top-ranked U.S. university. “What if one old meme or comment is taken the wrong way? It’s just too risky now.”
For others, the policy’s prioritisation of students heading to institutions with fewer international enrollees adds to the confusion. “They say they’ll prioritise colleges where foreigners are less than 15% of the student body,” said Kartik Patel, 24, preparing for a master’s in computer science at NYU. “What happens to students like me who are headed to universities like NYU or Purdue?”
This guidance could affect students bound for over 200 U.S. universities—including Ivy League schools and major public institutions like the University of Illinois and Penn State—where international students often exceed the 15% mark.
Meanwhile, those who had deferred their plans last year are feeling the pressure of time slipping away. Dheeraj, 22, said he’s been waiting since May for his visa appointment. “My entire family is anxious. Will I get to go this year at all?” he asked.
The new screening process has raised questions about the interpretation of social media content, especially whether deleted or private posts might be held against an applicant. While the consulate has not clarified this publicly, students worry that any misstep—past or present—could become a red flag.
To ease the transition, students are hoping the embassy will launch more support measures. While no official schedule has been shared yet, the consulate noted it is “committed to transparency” and encourages applicants to follow official channels for updates.
As the Fall 2025 intake window narrows, Indian students remain hopeful—but cautious. For many, this visa season now hinges not just on academic merit or timing but also on their digital footprints.
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