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Hindustan Times
a day 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Plain Vanilla Is Out. AI & Innovation Are In!
From Tier-2 cities to top STEM programs—2025 is rewriting the study abroad story for Indian students. In this video with Mr. Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP Education, we decode the three biggest shifts shaping global education today: the rise of non-metro student applicants, a growing preference for STEM and healthcare programs, and the increasing pressure to choose quality over average degrees. How the universities have stopped offering plain vanilla courses and have now come up with tech decorated options. Find out what's driving Indian families to rethink their approach to overseas education and how students are becoming more strategic than ever. Read More
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian students bare their digital souls to win US visas
New Delhi: If you want to study in the land of the brave, and the home of the free, forgo your (social media) privacy. And most Indian students applying for US colleges are willing to make their social media accounts public to fulfil their dreams to study in the US, experts say. This will impact them as most are on at least one of the social media platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, or Linkedin. According to the US embassy's X post on Monday, Indian students applying for visas to study in US colleges will now have to make their social media accounts public by changing the privacy settings. Making the social media accounts public is one of the measures among many, either introduced or reinforced, in the last few months impacting Indian students either studying or considering studying in the US. These restrictions include further tightening of student visa rules; heightened scrutiny of students' records, including social media posts; student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) record glitches; and increased scrutiny at ports of entry. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Over 95% of students enrolled with IDP (a study abroad platform) are fine making their social media profiles public. "Rest 4-5% are considering going to other countries like the UK, Canada and Australia," said Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP. Live Events F-1 is a student visa to study in an accredited US college, J-1 is an exchange visa for participation in an exchange programme, while M-1 is student visa for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States. Students with strong intent to study in the US are not changing their plans due to social media vetting, experts said. Students have been required to provide their social media account details in visa applications for several years now. "But for the first time, they (students) are being asked to make their profile settings 'Public'," said Kumar. "Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law," stated the US Embassy post. "I've worked so hard on my profile - academics, research, community work - but now I have to audit every tweet and post I've ever made," one such student applying for a Master of Science to UC Berkeley (Fall 2025) told ET. "Though it feels like I'm being judged for more than my merit, still I'm not giving up. I'll do whatever it takes to achieve my dream to study in the US." "We have not seen and do not believe that this will reduce the interest of students going to the US," said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of immigration and investment advisory firm, Global North Residency and Citizenship. He added that no other country has asked for this. "But usually all countries independently do a 'World Check' which includes social media and the internet," Pathak said. According to Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder, Collegify, the US is no longer just reviewing your application - "it's reviewing you. Other countries might assess risk, but none require digital transparency at this level," said Khandelwal. Nevertheless, many students have started cleaning up their digital footprint like never before.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
No US visa if your social media profile isn't public: Embassy warns Indians
Indian students applying for US F, M, or J visas must now make their social media profiles public for screening, the US embassy has said Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Planning to study in the US? You'll now have to make your social media accounts public before your visa interview. The US embassy in India has said that all applicants for F, M, or J non-immigrant visas—including students and exchange visitors—must ensure their social media profiles are set to 'public' to enable background checks. 'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,' the embassy said in a post directed at student applicants on Monday. This follows the resumption of F-1 student visa processing after a brief suspension. But with the restart comes tighter scrutiny. Social media vetting already in place since 2019 The embassy said social media checks are not new, but the change now is that students must make those profiles publicly visible. 'Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security,' the post read. What Indian students should keep in mind Education experts say visa success increasingly depends on how consistent and transparent students are—both online and offline. 'A key reason behind the success of applicants is the authenticity of the application and the intent that they are able to communicate to the visa officers. Therefore, students are advised to be honest and clear about their academic background, journey and goals,' Piyush Kumar, regional director (South Asia, Canada and Latin America) at IDP Education told Business Standard. 'Consistency and transparency help establish credibility. Applicants must ensure that the visa application forms are filled out accurately and reflect the same information shared during the interview and on their social media platforms,' he added. What you should do Make all social media profiles public before applying for the F, M or J visa • Ensure your application, interview answers, and online activity match • Do not post anything that contradicts your stated reason for travelling • Keep academic and career intentions clear and factual across platforms The US embassy has reiterated that holding a visa is not a right and that visas can be revoked if a person is found to be in violation of the law, even after arrival.
India Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
US visa curbs push Indian students towards Canada, Germany, Japan
Every year, thousands of Indian students pin their hopes on a US education—drawn by its world-class universities, tech-driven job market, and the promise of a better future. But this year, that dream is under pressure. A wave of policy changes and visa restrictions under the Trump administration has sparked fear and confusion, pushing students and their families to reconsider their top institutions like Harvard University have come under political fire, with the government reportedly threatening research funding and tightening scrutiny on international collaborations. With rising uncertainty around safety, immigration, and long-term career prospects in the US, countries like Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and Japan are quickly emerging as more stable and welcoming BLOCKS AND SURVEILLANCE: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE US? The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has sent tremors across the international student community. In addition to the abrupt pause on student visa interviews, a controversial new policy called "Catch and Revoke" is reportedly using AI to monitor students' social media for any alleged support of terrorist organisations. This, combined with the scrutiny over overstayed student visas and mounting legal pressure on top universities, has made the US an increasingly uncertain destination for Indian a visible chill in sentiment towards the US," says Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South Asia, Canada, LATAM), IDP Education."Parents are deeply concerned about safety, visa rejection rates, and future work opportunities. Students are beginning to explore more stable countries like Canada and Germany," he EVEN TOP UNIVERSITIES LIKE HARVARD ARE BEING TARGETEDThe administration's stance isn't just about students—it's also political. A recent report revealed that President Trump's government is taking aggressive action against Harvard University, threatening its research funding and international recruitment efforts in a move some are calling authoritarian."The US is no longer the 'default' dream destination. It's now a calculated risk," says Aritra Ghosal, Founder & Director, One Step Global."We're seeing a clear shift in the aspirations of Indian students—particularly those from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who can't afford to gamble with such uncertainty," she further ARE INDIAN STUDENTS GOING INSTEAD?1. CanadaDespite implementing a two-year cap on new study permits, Canada remains attractive due to its clear immigration pathways."Canada still offers clarity and opportunity—especially with its post-graduate work permit and PR options," says Kajal Dave, Co-founder, LaunchEd."But now, only the most committed and well-prepared students are making the cut, especially with the new financial proof requirements," she GermanyWith zero tuition fees at public universities and a booming demand for STEM graduates, Germany is climbing fast."Students are beginning to realise that Germany offers world-class education without the sticker shock," Kajal further adds."The only real barrier is language, but even that's manageable with enough prep."3. IrelandKnown for its tech ecosystem and English-speaking advantage, Ireland is increasingly popular amongst business and STEM students."Ireland is one of the few places offering a two-year stay-back even for master's students," says Aritra."Its growing Indian student community and faster visa processing make it a rising favourite," Aritra further adds.4. AustraliaAustralia continues to offer generous post-study work options, but has recently capped international intakes and raised visa fees."Despite the stricter regulations, Australia remains a strong contender—especially for those who value lifestyle and employability," says Piyush."What's changing is the profile of the student—more mature, career-focused, and financially secure," Piyush further adds.5. JapanRecently, Japan has been actively promoting itself as a top study destination for Indian students, offering expanded scholarships and simplified visa processes. Its focus on technology, robotics, and engineering education, combined with a growing Indian student community and relatively lower tuition fees, makes it an appealing is quickly becoming a favourite, especially for students interested in STEM and innovation-driven fields," says Kajal."The government's push to internationalise its campuses and offer better post-study work options is attracting more Indian students than ever before," she RESPONDING WITH FLEXIBILITY From scholarships to flexible intake windows, many non-US universities are trying to make transitions smoother for displaced or hesitant students."We've seen universities in Australia and Europe expedite admission timelines and offer digital onboarding for late joiners," shares Kajal Dave."They're clearly trying to tap into the growing number of students turned away or anxious about the US," Kajal further AND FINANCIAL TOLLThe sudden change of plans has been taxing, especially for families that invested heavily in SAT prep, application fees, and counselling for US admissions."There's a sense of betrayal amongst students who see the US as a promise," says Aritra Ghosal, Founder & Director, One Step Global."But this disruption is also helping them ask harder questions—about return on investment, residency, and long-term stability," Aritra American dream is no longer a given. As immigration policy becomes a volatile political tool, Indian students are looking elsewhere—not just for education, but for a better life and we're witnessing is a strategic redirection—not a panic reaction," concludes Piyush."Indian students are not giving up on their dreams. They're just finding better maps to reach them," Piyush Kumar further adds.
