‘Think of how an old post may be problematic, then delete it': New US Visa rule fuels student anxiety over social media

Indian Express

3 days ago

A 24-year-old from Delhi, who recently secured admission to Harvard University in the United States, describes how his days now begin with combing through his Instagram account. 'Every few hours, I think of how an old post may be problematic, and then delete it,' he says. 'Even memes feel risky now.'
He is one of the several Indian students who spoke to The Indian Express about the rising anxiety over a recent US directive requiring all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media accounts public.
The advisory, citing 'national security and public safety,' instructs visa applicants to change their privacy settings to allow for vetting by consular officers — a marked shift from previous years, when only publicly visible content could be viewed and considered. The F, M, and J visas are non-immigrant visas for foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programmes.
Outlining each visa adjudication as a 'national security decision,' the United States has mandated that applicants reveal their social media usernames or handles for every platform used in the past five years. On Thursday, the US Embassy in India issued a statement, warning that failure to disclose social media information 'could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.'
'I gave my interview earlier in June, and I'm still waiting for my visa,' says the Delhi-based student. 'The guideline is very vague. It says 'anything that violates American values.' We don't even know what that is supposed to mean.'
For most students, the process of making years of personal content accessible to immigration authorities has been stressful, especially because there is little clarity on what might raise red flags. A 23-year-old from Mumbai, who also got into Harvard, says he made all his accounts public on May 22 — the day he submitted his online non-immigrant visa application (DS-160 form). 'Since then, I've archived everything even remotely political. I've stopped liking posts too, just in case even that is visible,' he shares.
Career counselling firms said they had to swiftly adapt in light of the change. 'The recent US government directive is a significant development — but one that serious academically-oriented applicants can certainly navigate successfully,' underlines Aman Singh, co-founder, GradRight, Gurgaon. 'Our core guidance now focuses on helping students understand and actively manage their digital footprint. It's about being mindful and authentic.'
While there has been a 20-25% drop in the number of students going to the US over the past 6-8 months, according to Singh, loan approvals through GradRight for students accepted to top-tier colleges have gone up by 60%. 'The appeal of US universities remains strong. For strong, high-intent students, the process is still working,' he adds.
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, based in Noida, says the shift merely formalises what many universities were already doing. 'This update adds a new layer to visa assessments but also reinforces the value of a student's digital presence,' he says. 'No need to delete or disguise — just ensure coherence and avoid ambiguity.'
'With the right awareness, students can use this as an opportunity to project clarity and intent, traits that matter across every global education system,' Chaturvedi adds. About 15-20% of the monthly student applications at Leverage Edu represent students aiming to pursue higher education in the United States.
The ambiguity is what's bothering the applicants. With little clarity on what is considered 'acceptable,' many said they are second-guessing posts that seemed harmless.
On Tuesday, Harvard acted swiftly after the US government unveiled sweeping restrictions. Harvard Kennedy School's Dean, Jeremy Weinstein, emphasised in an email to students, 'We hope to see you on campus in the fall, but if that is not possible, we will bring HKS to you.'
At Harvard Kennedy School, leaders emphasised their unwavering commitment: 'We are committed to supporting all of our students, even if some are unable to make it to campus due to visa or entry restrictions.'
Consequently, they have launched two tailored pathways: 'HKS Global (for new and returning students)… a blended academic experience that features world‑class online coursework and in‑person convenings around the world', and 'HKS at Munk School (for returning students only)… through an arrangement with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto', ensuring that 'students will engage in online coursework led by HKS faculty' and 'participants will complete their HKS degree by taking a mix of online and in‑person courses taught by both HKS and University of Toronto faculty'.