The United States has officially resumed processing student visa applications after a temporary suspension, but with a significant requirement: applicants must now make their social media accounts publicly accessible for government review.
According to AP reports, the U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that consular officers will now examine visa applicants’ social media profiles for content that may be considered hostile to the United States, its government, people, culture, institutions, or founding principles. Those who refuse to make their accounts public may face rejection, with the refusal viewed as a potential attempt to hide content or evade scrutiny.
A notice issued by the State Department made it clear that consular officers would be guided to look out for any online activity reflecting negative sentiments towards the U.S. “This move will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country,” the department stated.
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The new policy comes as international students continue to face rising pressure under current U.S. immigration strategies. Earlier this year, some foreign students lost their legal status over minor infractions such as traffic violations—though many of those decisions were later reversed. The Trump administration has also proposed limiting foreign enrollment at elite universities like Harvard to just 15%, arguing that American students should have more access.
As per AP news, consular officers have been instructed to prioritise applications from students enrolling at institutions where international students make up less than 15% of the total student body. This could disadvantage those seeking admission to top-tier institutions, including all eight Ivy League universities and large public universities like the University of Illinois and Penn State, where the international student population is often well above that threshold.
