The United States has long been the dream destination for Indian students seeking world-class education, global exposure, and career opportunities. But recent developments have made that dream harder to achieve. Reports suggest that a growing number of Indian students are facing US visa rejections due to new social media screening rules, leaving many disheartened and looking to other countries like the UK or Canada as alternatives.
According to The Washington Post, several Indian students who had cleared all other stages of their visa application process were denied entry under the pretext of having “insufficient ties to India.” But many believe the real reason lies in the US government’s new digital vetting measures — a system designed to analyze applicants’ online activity, including social media posts.
One such student, Kaushik Raj, a 27-year-old journalist from India, became an unexpected face of this controversy.
Scholarship Secured, Visa Denied
Kaushik’s story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Having earned a prestigious $100,000 scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Journalism at Columbia University, Raj seemed to have everything in place — stellar credentials, a fully funded program, and a clear academic goal.
Yet, his dream fell apart when his student visa was rejected by the US Embassy in New Delhi in August. The official reason? He failed to prove he had “sufficient ties to India” that would compel him to return after his studies. But Raj believes the real reason lies elsewhere — in his social media presence.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Raj explained that while he wasn’t very active online, his posts as a journalist sometimes discussed sensitive issues like hate crimes and India’s treatment of its Muslim minority. He insists that these were professional posts, not personal opinions, yet suspects they may have triggered red flags during digital screening.
“It’s clear they went through my social media,” Raj said. “I had a scholarship, I had every reason to come back. There’s no other explanation.”
Feeling disillusioned, Raj has now decided to apply for a UK student visa, where he hopes for a more transparent process.
A Pattern Emerging: More Indian Students Affected
Kaushik isn’t alone. The Washington Post interviewed three other Indian students who shared strikingly similar experiences — visa rejections after extensive social media vetting, all citing “lack of strong ties” as the reason.
These students, too, had spent their entire lives in India, had no prior visa violations, and had even been accepted by reputed US universities. Their frustration highlights a troubling lack of transparency — applicants are rarely told exactly what part of their social media content is deemed problematic.
This new wave of rejections comes at a time when Indian students make up nearly 30% of all international students in the United States, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE). For many, the US was once seen as a welcoming land of opportunity. But today, the process is becoming longer, more unpredictable, and emotionally draining.
Social Media Screening: A New Obstacle for Applicants
Since 2024, US authorities have introduced stringent digital vetting rules aimed at identifying potential “security threats” or “foreign policy risks.” Applicants for student, work, and tourist visas are now required to list all social media handles used in the past five years, including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
While the policy aims to strengthen national security, it’s also raised major concerns about privacy, free speech, and fairness.
In June 2025, a new policy even required visa applicants to make their social media profiles public. This means posts, comments, and even likes could be scrutinized — not just for illegal content, but for opinions that might conflict with US political interests.
Applicants say this creates an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship.
“Anything can be considered grounds for rejection,” said a 26-year-old Indian PhD student at Louisiana State University. “I’ve stopped posting online altogether.”
The US Crackdown on Student Speech
The controversy deepened earlier this year when several foreign students were detained or deported over their alleged criticism of US foreign policy, particularly those involved in pro-Palestine protests.
Among them were Indian nationals, including Ranjani Srinivasan, a PhD candidate at Columbia University, and Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral researcher at Georgetown University. Both were accused of sharing “Hamas propaganda” online, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In response to mounting criticism, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the policy, saying:
“If individuals engage in activities counter to our national interest or foreign policy, we will revoke their visas. We are not going to import activists into the United States.”
The message was clear — even peaceful political expression could carry risks for foreign students.
“Administrative Processing” – The New Normal
Students applying for F-1 or J-1 visas are increasingly being placed under “administrative processing”, a term used by the US State Department when an application requires further review. What once took weeks can now take months, sometimes leading students to miss the start of their academic programs.
These delays, combined with the uncertainty surrounding social media checks, are forcing many Indian applicants to reconsider their choices.
“It used to be a dream to study in the US. Now, it’s a nightmare of waiting, interviews, and second-guessing every tweet you’ve ever written,” one applicant said anonymously.
Freedom of Expression at Risk?
Many experts argue that this level of digital scrutiny contradicts the very values the United States is known for — freedom of speech and academic liberty. For students like Kaushik Raj, who already face restrictions on expression in their home countries, the irony is hard to ignore.
“People go to the US because they’re troubled by what’s happening in their own countries,” Raj said. “But if you’re going to be censored there too, what’s the point?”
Civil rights organizations have echoed similar concerns, warning that social media vetting could lead to discrimination based on political beliefs, religion, or nationality. Without clear guidelines on what constitutes a “disqualifying” post, applicants are left guessing.
The Cost of Uncertainty
The financial and emotional cost of these rejections is significant. One Indian student who applied to North Carolina State University reportedly spent over $2,000 on application fees, travel to New Delhi for the interview, and documentation — only to be rejected after the vetting process.
The situation has left thousands questioning whether the risk is worth it.
“You invest months preparing for exams, applications, and interviews, and one misunderstood post can destroy everything,” said an applicant from Bengaluru. “It’s like being punished for having an opinion.”
The UK: A Safer Bet for Indian Students?
With uncertainty surrounding the US visa process, many Indian students are now turning their attention to the United Kingdom. The UK government has streamlined its Student Route visa system, with faster processing times and less intrusive digital checks compared to the US.
Additionally, the Graduate Route, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree, has made the UK a more attractive destination.
While the UK has also increased visa fees recently, students like Kaushik Raj see it as a fair trade-off for a transparent and predictable visa process.
“At least you know what to expect,” Raj said. “You’re judged by your qualifications, not your social media.”
What This Means for the Future of Indian Students Abroad
The US remains home to many of the world’s best universities, but its new digital surveillance policies could drive talented international students elsewhere. If these trends continue, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany could see an influx of Indian students seeking more openness and fairness.
In 2024 alone, over 275,000 Indian students were enrolled in US universities, according to IIE data. But with growing mistrust in the system, those numbers may soon shift dramatically.
Education consultants across India are already reporting a surge in UK and Canada applications, with students citing “visa reliability” and “freedom from political bias” as key reasons.
The Bottom Line
The recent wave of US visa rejections has sparked a wider debate about privacy, free speech, and fairness in international education. While national security is a legitimate concern, many argue that overreaching digital surveillance may unfairly penalize innocent students.
For aspiring scholars like Kaushik Raj, the dream of studying in America has turned into a cautionary tale — one that warns others to be mindful of every post, comment, and share online.
As more students turn toward destinations that prioritize transparency and respect for expression, the US risks losing not just applicants, but also the global talent that fuels its universities.
