U.S. Resumes Student Visa Processing with New Social Media Disclosure Requirement
Foreign students seeking to study in the United States will now face enhanced scrutiny of their online activity. The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it has lifted its temporary suspension on student visa processing, which was put in place in May. However, new applicants will now be required to make their social media accounts public and accessible for review by U.S. officials — or risk being denied a visa.
In the public notice, the department made it clear that applicants who refuse to grant access to their social media profiles may be viewed as attempting to conceal information or evade scrutiny. This move is part of a broader initiative to intensify the vetting of foreign students.
The suspension, initiated under the Trump administration, was intended to allow for updates to the screening procedures, specifically targeting digital footprints. According to officials, consular officers will now assess social media activity for any content considered hostile toward the United States — including its government, institutions, founding principles, or cultural values.
The policy shift comes as thousands of international students remain in limbo, anxiously awaiting the reopening of U.S. consulates for visa interview appointments. With the academic year fast approaching, many are scrambling to finalize travel plans and secure housing, all while navigating this new layer of scrutiny.
According to Associated Press reports, the heightened social media checks could significantly impact visa issuance timelines, especially for students who maintain private or limited-access online profiles.