US resumes student visa processing with new social media disclosure rule

The United States has resumed processing student visa applications but now requires foreign applicants to disclose their social media profiles for scrutiny, as part of a broader national security directive.

The US State Department on Wednesday announced the resumption of student and exchange visa processing after a suspension in May, introducing a controversial new rule mandating social media disclosure for all applicants.

Under the new guidance, foreign nationals applying for F, M, or J visas must make their social media accounts publicly accessible. Consular officers have been instructed to review the “entire online presence” of each applicant, including social media platforms, search history, and other digital content accessible through official databases.

The department said this move aims to identify posts or interactions deemed “hostile toward the United States, its government, institutions, culture, or founding principles.” Limited profile visibility may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal potentially disqualifying behavior, officials warned.

The policy applies to both new and returning applicants and reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls and enhance national security screening processes.

Last month, US embassies worldwide were instructed to suspend all new student visa interviews while the administration evaluated new vetting protocols. The result is what many legal experts and university officials are calling an unprecedented expansion of surveillance over international students.

Critics argue that these measures infringe on privacy and suppress freedom of expression. Civil rights groups and legal scholars say the practice could violate the First Amendment protections of free speech, which apply to all individuals on US soil, regardless of citizenship status.

This latest step comes amid broader controversies involving the Trump administration’s immigration stance, including attempts to cancel student visas over political opinions and an ongoing investigation targeting Harvard University’s foreign student body.

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