The US State Department has directed embassies and consulates worldwide to resume student visa interviews following a four-week suspension. The move comes with the introduction of tighter vetting measures, including expanded scrutiny of applicants’ social media profiles.
Online Activity to Be Reviewed
According to a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consular officers are now required to assess applicants’ social media profiles and broader digital activity. The screening aims to identify content suggesting hostility toward the US, support for terrorism, or engagement in anti-Semitic behavior. Officers must preserve records of any flagged content through screenshots.
All Visa Applicants Subject to New Checks
The updated screening applies to all student visa categories: F, M, and J, including first-time applicants, returning students, and those previously granted interview waivers. Applicants who maintain private social media accounts may face refusal under INA Section 221(g) until access is granted for review.
No Automatic Disqualifications
While flagged content will not automatically disqualify an applicant, it may trigger further review to ensure the student’s intent aligns with their visa status. Immigration attorneys and education consultants have warned that the new process could lead to delays as consulates adjust to the changes.
Critics argue that mandating access to private digital accounts raises privacy concerns. Education advocates caution that the policy may discourage applicants and send mixed signals about the US’s openness to international students.
The cable also instructed missions to prioritize interviews for applicants in J-1 physician exchange programs and students attending universities where international enrollment is less than 15%.
