New US Visa Rule For Indians: Public Social Media Now Mandatory — Know More Inside

In a significant policy shift, the United States Embassy in India has announced that all Indian applicants for F, M, and J category non-immigrant visas must immediately set their personal social media accounts to "public" and maintain that status throughout the visa application and vetting process. The directive, which takes effect immediately, is part of the Trump administration's push for enhanced security and deeper background checks for all visa applicants.

The new requirement affects three key categories of non-immigrant visas: F visas for academic students, M visas for vocational or technical students, and J visas for exchange visitors, including scholars, researchers, interns, and participants in cultural programs.

Applicants are now required to ensure that all their social media profiles-across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and others-are fully accessible to the public. This change aims to allow US consular officers full visibility of an applicant's online activity, ensuring a more comprehensive background check during the visa review process.

A spokesperson from the US Embassy stated that visa officers will carefully examine an applicant's visible posts, comments, and social interactions to verify identity, assess eligibility, and screen for any content that may raise concerns about US national security or foreign hostility.

While visa applicants have been required to disclose their social media identifiers since 2019, this updated rule now goes a step further by demanding unrestricted access to those accounts. The US government has emphasized that this step is intended to safeguard national security and maintain the integrity of the visa process.

Officials have warned that any attempt to hide or restrict access to online content could negatively impact an individual's application. Failure to comply may result in visa delays or even denial, depending on the nature of the applicant's online footprint and the perceived level of transparency.

The embassy has also indicated that the enhanced screening procedures may lead to a reduction in the number of daily visa appointments, as additional time will now be needed for thorough social media vetting. Indian applicants are advised to factor in possible delays when planning travel or academic timelines.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny of international visa programs and renewed efforts by the Trump administration to tighten background checks across all categories of immigration. While the policy is expected to raise concerns about privacy, US officials argue it is a necessary step to ensure applicants are not hiding affiliations or ideologies that could pose a risk to US interests.