US Student Visas Now Require Enhanced Social Media Screening—Here's What to Know

The U.S. State Department has implemented enhanced social media screening for student visa applicants. Under the new policy, visa applicants are required to provide their social media handles and account information for the past five years. This change aims to strengthen national security measures and screen for potential threats. Immigration experts have raised concerns about the impact on international students, researchers, and exchange visitors. The additional scrutiny may deter some applicants and prolong the visa application process. There are also privacy and free speech implications to consider. The State Department has defended the new policy as a necessary step to identify security risks. However, critics argue that the measures may discourage global talent from studying or working in the U.S., which could have broader implications for the country's competitiveness and innovation. Overall, the enhanced social media screening represents a significant shift in the student visa application process, and its long-term effects on international academic and research communities remain to be seen.