Washington [US], June 23 (ANI): In a significant shift to enhance visa screening and national security, the United States has mandated that all individuals applying for F, M, or J category non-immigrant visas must now adjust their social media account settings to “public” to enable thorough vetting.
The U.S. Embassy in India (@USAndIndia) made the announcement via a post on X, stating:
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.”
The F, M, and J visa categories pertain to international students, vocational trainees, and exchange visitors. These applicants are now expected to voluntarily provide access to their digital presence as part of the standard background screening process.
This new requirement builds upon the 2019 policy where visa applicants were already required to disclose their social media identifiers on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms.
The Embassy reiterated that the U.S. government “uses all available information” in screening visa applications to identify those who may pose a threat to U.S. national security.
New 2025 Travel Ban Unveiled
In a parallel development, the U.S. has also rolled out a sweeping new travel ban as part of its 2025 immigration policy overhaul. Nationals from 12 countries have been placed under a total visa ban, while citizens of seven other nations will face partial restrictions, such as heightened screening or limited visa categories.
The full ban affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, including those for tourism, education, and employment. The countries primarily affected are in the Middle East and Africa, and the decision is being justified as part of the United States’ effort to close potential security loopholes and combat terrorism.
India Not on the List, But Delays Persist
The U.S. government clarified that India is not included in the list of affected countries. All visa categories for Indian nationals—including B1/B2 tourist visas, H-1B work permits, and F-1 student visas—continue to be processed.
However, Indian applicants remain burdened by prolonged wait times, with U.S. consulates in India currently scheduling interviews up to 10–12 months in advance due to a high volume of applications and a persistent administrative backlog.
Though India remains unaffected by the new visa restrictions, prospective travelers are advised to plan well in advance and stay updated on evolving consular policies. (ANI)
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