U.S. Visa Applicants Must Disclose Social Media to Avoid Rejection

The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a stark warning to visa applicants regarding the necessity of full disclosure of social media information on their applications. Effective immediately, all applicants are mandated to provide usernames or handles from social media platforms used in the past five years when filling out the DS-160 visa application form. This requirement encompasses popular platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube. Failure to comply can not only result in the denial of a visa application but may also lead to ineligibility for future visas under U.S. immigration law.

In a statement released via X on June 30, 2025, the embassy emphasized, "Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last five 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." This directive is part of the broader security and vetting protocols instituted by the U.S. State Department in recent years aimed at enhancing national security measures.

Additionally, the U.S. government has introduced a new regulation specifically impacting non-immigrant visa applicants categorized under F, M, and J visas, which pertain to students and exchange visitors. Under this new rule, applicants in these categories are required to set their social media accounts to public. The embassy has stated that this adjustment is intended to facilitate identity verification and ensure a more transparent vetting process during visa applications.

Dr. Mark Ellis, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, highlighted the significance of this requirement, stating, "The U.S. is increasingly relying on social media as a tool for vetting applicants, reflecting a growing trend in global immigration policy. This measure is designed to enhance security but raises questions about privacy and the implications for applicants who may have sensitive information online."

Opponents of the policy argue that mandating public access to social media accounts could discourage legitimate applicants from pursuing U.S. visas. Dr. Emily Chen, an immigration law professor at Yale University, commented, "While the intent behind increased scrutiny is understandable, the potential for misuse of information and the privacy concerns that arise from requiring public profiles cannot be overlooked."

Moreover, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an update to its SMS notification system, effective July 1, 2025. The new number for official texts will be 872466, replacing the previous number of 468-311. This change is aimed at improving the security and reliability of communication with visa applicants.

In summary, the U.S. Embassy's recent directives underscore a significant shift toward heightened scrutiny of visa applicants, reinforcing the importance of transparency in the application process. As these policies are implemented, applicants must navigate the complex interplay between security requirements and personal privacy.