If you’re planning to study or take part in an exchange program in the United States, get ready to open up your digital life. As of a newly enforced policy, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must now disclose their social media activity from the past five years.The US Department of State has expanded its vetting requirements, demanding visa applicants list every username or handle they’ve used on any social media platform within that timeframe. This move is part of a broader effort by the US government to enhance national security and prevent entry of individuals considered threats.A public profile is now part of the screeningIn an official announcement shared by the US Embassy in India and through its social media channels, authorities emphasized that applicants are not only required to list all their social media identifiers, but also must adjust their account privacy settings to ‘public’. This is intended to allow consular officers to fully examine the applicant’s online presence as part of their background check.The requirement applies specifically to individuals applying for F (academic students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitors). Consular officers will use this information—combined with personal interviews and other documents—to assess whether the applicant meets the standards for entry into the country.What must applicants disclose?The information is collected through the DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application form. As applicants fill out the form via the Consular Electronic Application Centre, they are presented with a drop-down menu listing various social media platforms. They must select each one they’ve used over the last five years.Once a platform is selected, the form prompts for every relevant identifier: username, handle, email address, or phone number used on that account. If multiple usernames were used, applicants must click “Add Another” to provide all entries. Failing to include accurate and complete information is not a minor oversight—it may lead to a visa denial and even make the applicant ineligible for future US visas.Why is the US doing this?This expanded scrutiny stems from the ongoing effort by the US government to strengthen security through detailed applicant screening. A press release from the US Department of State referenced the “Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants” and emphasized that all F, M, and J visa applicants will be subjected to a comprehensive vetting process, including analysis of their online behavior.Officials reaffirmed the long-standing principle that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, echoing sentiments repeatedly emphasized by President Trump and other senior policymakers.What happens if you leave something out?According to the embassy, applicants certify the accuracy of their application when they sign the DS-160 form. Any omission—intentional or not—can result in visa rejection and future ineligibility, a risk the embassy clearly warns against.The message is unambiguous: if you’ve used a social platform in the last five years, the US wants to know about it—and see what you’ve posted. With national security as the driving concern, social media vetting is no longer just a possibility; it is now a required part of the US visa application process.
