On June 18, 2025, the U.S. State Department introduced new visa rules requiring international students to make their social media accounts public for scrutiny. The policy, part of the Trump Administration’s broader national security agenda, targets F, M, and J visa applicants.

It mandates expanded online vetting to identify potential threats or “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. This move has sparked concerns over privacy, academic freedom, and discrimination. This explainer will address seven key questions to clarify the implications of the new rules.

What is the current status of the U.S. student visa appointment process?

After weeks of suspension, U.S. embassies have resumed student visa appointments. This pause, coupled with enhanced security checks, drew criticism from Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, who warned it causes “unnecessary delays, fuels uncertainty, and damages our reputation as a welcoming destination for global talent.”

The new guidance advises consular officers to manage workload by scheduling fewer appointments and to prioritize students attending colleges where international students comprise less than 15% of the student body—excluding many elite universities like Harvard, where foreign students exceed 25%.

What is the new U.S. visa policy regarding social media for student applicants?

The U.S. State Department has issued a new directive requiring all prospective international students applying for F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas to make their social media profiles public. https://nepalnews.com/s/explainers/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-u-s-student-visa-social-media-policy/