'Indian Nationals Should Be Treated Based On Merit': MEA On US Visa Social Media Rule
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday responded to newly issued US visa guidelines requiring student applicants to disclose their social media handles, urging that all Indian applications be assessed purely on merit.
In response to the development, MEA spokesperson Mr. Randhir Jaiswal stated that visa and immigration matters are within the sovereign powers of different countries. However, he stressed the necessity of equal treatment for Indian citizens intending to study abroad.
“We have seen the guidelines issued by the US embassy, requiring the provision of social media identifiers in visa applications,” Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
Jaiswal added, "But we think that every Indian national's visa application ought to be evaluated on its own merits. We remain engaged with the US side on all mobility and consular issues to ensure that the legitimate interests of Indian nationals are safeguarded,” as reported by NDVT.
Earlier this week, the US Embassy in India began processing F, M, and J category nonimmigrant student visas. New application guidelines were also published at the same time. All usernames or social media handles used in the last five years must be listed on the DS-160 visa application form.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy stated, “Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information may lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.”
Further, the embassy recommended that students make their social media accounts public to facilitate background checks. “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate the vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility,” the statement said.
The US government has cited “enhancing security and ensuring the integrity of the visa process” as the rationale behind these measures. However, the move has raised concerns over privacy and the potential for undue scrutiny, particularly for Indian students who represent one of the largest cohorts of international students in the United States.
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