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U.S. Resumes Fall 2025 Student Visa Processing With Public Social Media Rule

The State Department says the measure enhances national security through deeper online vetting

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File photo of US Embassy in Delhi | Representational image | Commons
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Overview

  • On June 18 the State Department restarted processing F, M, and J visas for Fall 2025 and instructed applicants to set all social media profiles to public for comprehensive online vetting.
  • Greg Pardo of the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai said the new policy aims to uphold national security by reviewing applicants’ digital footprints.
  • Consulates will prioritize applicants headed to schools with less than 15 percent foreign enrollment, raising concerns among students bound for more international campuses.
  • Indian students have expressed frustration and fear that private posts or deleted content could be misinterpreted, and refusal to comply may result in visa denial.
  • Advocates warn the requirement could function as an ideological litmus test, prompting some prospective students to consider universities in the UK and Canada.