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US Holds Indian Student's F-1 Visa Over Undisclosed Reddit Handle

State Department rules to require five years of social media history in public view have triggered more administrative holds.

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The Indian student was handed a 221(g) slip after the US visa officer raised concerns about the Reddit account
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Reddit account triggers US visa delay for Indian student amid stricter social media screening | Image: Reddit

Overview

  • An Indian F-1 applicant was issued a 221(g) notice on July 15 after she did not list her Reddit handle and her passport was retained for administrative processing.
  • The U.S. Embassy in India formally enforced a June 26 directive mandating all F, M and J visa seekers to disclose every social media handle used over the past five years and ensure profiles are public.
  • The student’s Reddit profile was public and contained no offensive content, yet screening systems flagged it as “not visible” to the consular officer.
  • The expanded vetting traces back to a 2019 social media identifier policy that has been intensified by recent State Department and ICE measures citing national security.
  • Experts including IDP Education’s Piyush Kumar and digital rights advocates warn that the privacy requirements may drive prospective students toward study destinations such as the UK and Australia.