U.S. Resumes Student Visa Issuance with New Social Media Requirement

The United States has resumed the issuance of student visas for international applicants, still with a new condition: applicants must now provide access to their social media accounts as part of the vetting process.
According to the U.S. State Department, the policy aims to enhance national security by allowing immigration officials to review an applicant’s digital footprint for any potential red flags. Students applying for F and M visas are required to list their usernames used on major social media platforms over the past five years.
The move has sparked mixed reactions. While some officials defend it as a necessary step to prevent security threats, civil liberties advocates and international student groups have raised concerns about privacy and freedom of expression.
“This policy may discourage talented students from applying to U.S. institutions, and it raises serious questions about digital privacy and surveillance,” said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Despite the concerns, U.S. universities have welcomed the resumption of visa processing, hoping it will help reverse the decline in international student enrollment caused by previous travel restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Department has yet to indicate whether this social media requirement will be permanent or subject to future review.