Starting June 2025, the U.S. Embassy in India has implemented new rules for certain visa categories. If you’re applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa (typically for students and exchange visitors), here’s what you need to know:
What You Must Disclose on the DS‑160 Form
- List all social media usernames or handles from the past five years, including both active and inactive accounts.
- This includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and others.
- Any omission of this information may result in visa denial or future ineligibility.
This requirement builds on prior rules instituted since 2019, making social media disclosure a standard part of visa applications.
New Privacy Setting Rule for F, M, and J Visa Applicants
Effective immediately, applicants in the student (F/M) and exchange visitor (J) visa categories must:
- Set all social media accounts to “public” during application processing.
- This policy enables consular officers to vet identity and assess admissibility under U.S. law.
- The U.S. State Department treats every visa decision as a national security determination, requiring comprehensive vetting of applicants’ online presence.
Who Is Impacted by These New Rules?
Affected visa categories include:
- F Visa – Academic students enrolled in programs in the U.S.
- M Visa – Vocational or vocational training students
- J Visa – Cultural or educational exchange participants (scholars, interns, researchers)
These changes are part of a broader credential-checking policy aimed at bolstering security and transparency during visa processing.
Why This Matters for Indian Applicants
The new rules have raised concerns among Indian students and visa seekers:
- Privacy concerns – Many are anxious about exposing years of personal online content.
- Vague vetting criteria – Students are unsure what content may be flagged, especially politically-related posts or activism.
- Stressful digital clean-up – Some applicants report deleting posts, archiving content, and removing likes to avoid potential red flags.
How to Prepare: A Quick Guide
To improve your chances of approval and avoid delays, follow these steps:
- Audit your social media profiles: Remove or archive sensitive or political content.
- List every username used in the last five years on DS‑160.
- Set all accounts to public—this is now mandatory for student or exchange visa categories.
- Keep information consistent: Ensure your online profile matches your DS‑160 entries, resume, and interview answers.
- Stay informed: Indian officials continue to communicate with U.S. authorities to ensure fairness and merit-based visa decisions.
Broader Implications
- Longer processing times: New vetting protocols have already slowed down student visa slots in India. Appointment availability is limited, and delays continue.
- Global trend: These enhanced procedures align with U.S. global security priorities and are affecting applicants worldwide.
Final Thoughts
From June 2025 onwards, Indian applicants for F, M, and J visas must fully disclose their social media history and grant public access to all their online accounts. This is no longer optional—it’s required for identity verification and admissibility checks.
To avoid visa rejection:
- Prepare your social media audit.
- Follow DS‑160 instructions carefully.
- Apply well in advance to navigate longer processing times.
By staying proactive and transparent, you can increase your chances of a successful U.S. visa application.
