Latest news with #DS-160
Mint
an hour ago
- Business
- Mint
On US ‘vague' social media visa rule, Indian students anxious: ‘Even memes feel risky now'
A 24-year-old from Delhi, recently admitted to Harvard University, now starts his day by checking 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 among several Indian students who shared their growing concerns with The Indian Express over a new US rule that asks all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media profiles public. The advisory, issued in the name of 'national security and public safety,' asks applicants to adjust their privacy settings so that US consular officers can review their accounts. In previous years, only publicly visible content was checked. The US now treats every visa application as a 'national security decision.' Applicants must provide usernames or handles for all social media platforms used in the last five years. The US Embassy in India warned on Thursday that failure to share this 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,' a Delhi-based student was quoted as saying by Indian Express. 'The guideline is very vague. It says 'anything that violates American values.' We don't even know what that is supposed to mean.' The lack of clarity has left many students stressed, as they are unsure what kind of posts may raise red flags. A 23-year-old from Mumbai, also admitted to Harvard, said he made all his accounts public on 22 May — the day he submitted his DS-160 visa application form. 'Since then, I've archived everything even remotely political. I've stopped liking posts too, just in case even that is visible,' he says. Career counselling firms say they've had to adjust quickly to guide students in managing their digital presence. 'The recent US government directive is a significant development — but one that serious academically-oriented applicants can certainly navigate successfully,' Aman Singh, co-founder of GradRight, Gurgaon told Indian Express. 'Our core guidance now focuses on helping students understand and actively manage their digital footprint. It's about being mindful and authentic.' According to Singh, while the number of Indian students going to the US has dropped by 20–25% in the past 6–8 months, loan approvals for students admitted to top universities through GradRight have increased by 60%. 'The appeal of US universities remains strong. For strong, high-intent students, the process is still working,' he adds. Still, students say the uncertainty is stressful. Many are second-guessing posts that once seemed completely harmless.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
What usernames did you use on your SM handles in the last five years? You'll need to list them all for a US visa
Disclose all social media handles from past 5 years for visa 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 screening In 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 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. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Visa requests be treated on merit: India on US's social media directive
The government has said it believes all US visa applications by Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit. The Ministry of External Affairs made the remarks on Thursday in response to US Embassy releasing guidelines requiring visa applicants to provide details of their social media identifiers. Those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa in the US are now required to switch the settings of their social media handles to "public". While the government noted that immigration matters pertain to the sovereign functions of a country, it also urged that the visa applications of Indians be judged on the basis of merit. "Visa and immigration matters pertain to sovereign functions of any country. But, we have seen the guidelines issued by the US Embassy, providing details of social media identifiers in visa applications," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The MEA spokesperson also assured that India was trying to safeguard interests of its nationals and was in touch with the US on consular issues. What's the new US visa rule? Those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa in the US are now required to switch the settings of their social media handles to "public" so they could be screened. The F or M category is for student visas and J category for exchange visitor visa. Applicants are also mandated to list all social media usernames of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form. According to the US embassy, social media vetting is necessary to establish the applicants' identity and admissibility to the US under law. If applicants fail to provide the social media information, it could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas. Visa applicants have been asked to provide "social media identifiers" on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms since 2019, the embassy clarified. The new guidelines come in the wake of US President Donald Trump's intensified immigration crackdown. Immigration laws have been tightened in the US, and those entering the country illegally would face jail time and deportation. The intensified immigration move recently led to protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US wants visa applicants to make their social media accounts ‘public'. Here's how students may be affected
Taking into consideration 'national security and public safety,' the United States has mandated that visa applicants list out all social media usernames or handles that they have used over the last five years and make them public for enhanced screening. On June 26, the US Embassy in India asked the visa applicants to mention their social media usernames or handles of every platform that they have used over the last five years while applying for the DS-160 visa application form. US wants visa applicants to make their social media accounts 'public' 'Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,' US Embassy India's X post reads. At a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue and said that all 'visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit.' He added that India remains engaged with the US side on 'all mobility issues and consular issues' in order to safeguard the legitimate interests of Indian nationals. Also read: USCIS issues warning for immigrants: 'Green cards and visas will be revoked if…' How could students be impacted? This could lead to longer visa processing times and stricter social media scrutiny for the applicants, Piyush Kumar, Regional Director of South Asia, Canada, and Latin America at IDP Education, told CNBC-TV18. He noted that the decision could lead to students looking for other venues like Australia or the United Kingdom for higher education. Kumar cautioned that students could be questioned about the social media posts even at their point of entry in the US. This means students will have to be extra careful about their social media activity. He also mentioned that while the US government has announced that they have resumed processing visa applications, many students have not yet received an interview slot. A report by The Hindu claims that the new rules could have an adverse effect on privacy and online security. Making social media accounts public could lead to users becoming more vulnerable to stalking, identity theft, hacking and other digital security crimes. It could also lead to increased levels of targeted advertising aimed at teenagers. Timeline of events The latest developments come against the backdrop of a major immigration crackdown in the US, which led to protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. On June 18, the US State Department informed that under the new guidance, the country will be conducting comprehensive and thorough vetting for visa applications. This includes online presence of all the student and exchange visitor applicants under the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. Those applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas have been asked to make adjustments to the privacy settings on all their profiles across different social media platforms and switch these settings to 'public.' This is not new, as visa applications have been required to provide "social media identifiers" since 2019. While student visas are applied under the F or M category, the J category is for exchange visitor visas. Calling every visa adjudication as a "national security decision," the US State Department asked officials to remain vigilant while issuing visas to ensure that the ones applying to enter the US "do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests". According to the BBC, the Donald Trump administration had in May halted student visa appointments to beef up measures to restrict applicants deemed hostile to the country. FAQs: 1. Why is the US doing social media vetting for visa applicants? This means a review of an individual's presence on social media, including platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram. It highlights tightening of security protocols, as it will allow officials to do thorough background checks of the applicants. 2. Which visa applications will require social media vetting? These include student and exchange visitor applicants under the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. 3. What if I don't make my social media accounts public? If an individual keeps their social media accounts private, then the person could be deemed as trying to hide their activity.
Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
Why US wants your social media account details to grant visas: Explained
Framing every visa decision as a matter of "national security," the U.S. has mandated that applicants submit the usernames or handles of all social media platforms they have used over the past five years. The statement, which was posted on X, read, 'Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit.' The communication continued, 'Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' At the weekly media briefing in capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked to respond to the statement of the US authorities. Jaiswal continued, 'It is our belief that all visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit. And, we remain engaged with the US side on all mobility issues and consular issues to ensure that the legitimate interests of Indian nationals are safeguarded.' On June 23, the US Embassy asked those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa to switch the privacy settings of their social media accounts to "public" to facilitate vetting, which it said was necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under law. The embassy had also said that since 2019, the US has required visa applicants to provide "social media identifiers" on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms. F or M category is for student visas and J category for exchange visitor visa. In Thursday's communication, the embassy also attached two related digital posters. "Every U.S. visa adjudication is a national security decision," read the caption on the top of a poster followed by a note. The note read, 'The United States requires visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting.' Social media vetting involves reviewing a person's online presence—especially on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn—to assess their behavior, affiliations, and public reputation. This practice is increasingly being used in immigration and visa processes. In a recent policy update, the U.S. State Department informed its consulates that foreign students applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas are now 'requested' to make their social media profiles publicly accessible. The aim is to allow officials to verify applicants' identities and conduct more thorough background checks. This move signals a tightening of security protocols, with social media activity now playing a significant role in visa vetting. Applicants are advised to ensure their online profiles reflect accurate, professional, and consistent information. The recent announcements come amid a broader immigration crackdown, including enforcement action in Los Angeles, California, under the Trump administration. In a statement issued on June 24, the embassy emphasised that the US has intensified the enforcement of immigration laws, warning that violators could face detention, deportation, and permanent ineligibility for future visas. The US also cautioned that anyone entering the country illegally would be subject to jail time and deportation. Earlier, on June 19, the embassy clarified that holding a U.S. visa is 'a privilege, not a right,' and that screening continues even after a visa is issued. The statement noted that a visa can be revoked if the holder violates U.S. laws. The embassy had also said that using illegal drugs or breaking any of the US laws while on a student or visitor visa could make one ineligible for future US visa. Earlier this month, the US Embassy in India also issued statements, underlining that while people travelling legally to America were welcome, illegal entry or abuse of visas won't be tolerated by the country. The United States 'will not tolerate' those who facilitate illegal and mass immigration to the US, its embassy said on June 16. The US Embassy had said the US had "established new visa restrictions" targeting foreign government officials and violators.
