U.S. Resumes Student Visa Interviews with New Social Media Disclosure Requirement

The United States has resumed student visa interviews as of this week, requiring applicants for F, M, and J visas to disclose their public social media accounts—a move sparking global concern. This new policy follows the May 28 suspension of visa applications as part of broader immigration measures initiated under Donald Trump’s administration.

The U.S. State Department now mandates that all student visa applicants, including university, vocational, and exchange students, provide access to their public profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X. Authorities say this step aims to enhance security screenings by identifying potential signs of hostility toward U.S. values, institutions, or citizens.

Officials are particularly monitoring for any support of terrorist organizations, incitement to violence, or anti-Semitic content. Even setting a social media profile to private may raise suspicion, potentially leading to visa denial on grounds of lack of transparency.

This directive is part of a broader effort initiated under former President Donald Trump to reshape U.S. immigration policy. Measures include freezing billions in federal funding to universities like Harvard and increasing scrutiny on institutions accused of tolerating anti-Semitism. Although some policies faced legal pushback, the trend toward tighter control over student entry remains.

These new rules arrive at a time when over 1.1 million international students contribute to U.S. academia, according to Open Doors. However, heightened digital surveillance could deter future applicants and raise privacy concerns—especially among students from countries already subject to state monitoring. The academic community now faces growing tension between national security and the values of openness and academic freedom.