In a statement posted on its official X handle, it mentioned that the directive applies to all individuals applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visa categories.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,” it wrote.
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 vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States… pic.twitter.com/xotcfc3Qdo
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 23, 2025
It added that the US has required applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications since 2019.
The US Embassy in India added that all available information “in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat.”
Last month, the US administration temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students hoping to study in the country as it prepared to expand the screening of their activity on social media.
The US State Department stated on June 18 that it is resuming the previously suspended process for foreign nationals applying for student visas, adding that all applicants will now be required to provide access to their social media accounts.
“The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country,” according to a senior State Department official.
In a recent post on X, the US Department of State has warned that holding a visa is ‘a privilege, not a right’. On Thursday, the US Embassy in India issued a reminder via a statement on X.
Using illegal drugs or breaking any U.S. laws while on a student/visitor visa can make you ineligible for future U.S. visas. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. U.S. visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law. pic.twitter.com/YaSm0pNkTm
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 19, 2025
“Using illegal drugs or breaking any US laws while on a student/visitor visa can make you ineligible for future US visas. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law,” the embassy wrote.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
