US Resumes Student Visa Interviews: Key Update for Indian Applicants

Big news for Indian students planning to study in the U.S.! As of June 18, 2025, the U.S. has officially resumed in-person student visa interviews for F, M, and J visas, marking the end of the temporary pause that had caused confusion and delays for thousands of international applicants.

While this is a welcome step for aspiring students, there’s a critical policy change every applicant must understand — especially those applying from India, one of the top source countries for U.S.-bound international students.

In this blog, We breaks down what the latest update means, what’s new, and how to avoid visa rejections due to social media activity.

What’s Changed in June 2025?

According to a report from ICEF Monitor, the U.S. has lifted the temporary suspension of student visa interviews that had been in place for operational and security reviews. This means consulates and embassies worldwide — including in India — are now accepting and scheduling appointments for student visa interviews again.

The Big Update: Social Media Screening Now Mandatory

While the resumption of visa interviews is a relief, the U.S. government now requires all applicants to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for review. This means visa officers can — and will — scrutinize your online presence before granting a visa.

What’s Being Reviewed?

Your social media accounts will be reviewed for:

Hostile content toward the U.S.
Extremist, violent, or politically radical statements
Inappropriate or misleading information about your background
Misinformation or misrepresentation of visa intent

If any content is deemed “hostile,” your visa could be denied.

What Does This Mean for Indian Students?

This new policy directly affects Indian students who are active on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If you’re applying for a U.S. student visa in 2025 or 2026, you must ensure your digital footprint reflects your genuine academic intentions and does not include:

Anti-government sentiments (especially targeting U.S. foreign policy)
Involvement in or promotion of extremist views or hate speech
Misleading statements about your academic goals or travel plans
Fake personal or academic information

How to Prepare Your Social Media Before Visa Application

We recommends the following steps to protect your chances of approval:

1. Audit Your Profiles

Go through your social media accounts and remove:

Old or irrelevant posts that may be misinterpreted
Shares or retweets of controversial political content
Comments made in anger or sarcasm about global issues

2. Keep It Professional

Ensure your public bio, display pictures, and posts align with your academic and career aspirations. Avoid posting anything during the visa process that could raise suspicion.

3. Review Privacy Settings

While accounts need to be accessible, limit who can tag you in public posts or comment on your timeline. This prevents others’ content from appearing on your profile.

4. Be Consistent with Your Visa Documents

Make sure your LinkedIn or public resumes do not conflict with the academic/work experience details provided in your DS-160 or university applications.

Visa Denial Due to Social Media – A Real Risk

With over 270,000 international students from India studying in the U.S., the demand is high — but so is the scrutiny. A student visa can be denied under Section 214(b) if the officer is not convinced that:

Your intent is purely academic
You plan to return to India after graduation
You are not a threat to national security

Social media content that undermines any of these points — even unintentionally — could lead to visa rejection without a second chance.

AVF Consultants’ Advice: Be Transparent but Thoughtful

This policy isn’t meant to scare students but to ensure national security and filter out malicious intent. However, even honest students can be caught off-guard if they don’t manage their online presence carefully.

Here’s our advice:

Don’t deactivate or delete accounts suddenly (it may look suspicious)
Don’t fabricate your personality online
Be respectful in your language, tone, and opinions
Avoid joking about visas, immigration, or politics online — even in memes

Final Thoughts: Stay Informed, Stay Prepared

The resumption of U.S. visa interviews is a huge step toward bringing international education back on track. But with new screening measures in place, applicants need to be more mindful than ever — both on paper and online.

As your trusted study abroad partner, AVF Consultants is here to help you navigate these changing policies with confidence. From shortlisting universities to preparing visa documents and reviewing your digital presence, we support you every step of the way.

FAQs on US Visa Social Media Review (2025)

Q1. Is it mandatory to share social media accounts for a U.S. student visa?
Yes. The DS-160 form now includes fields for listing social media handles from the past 5 years.

Q2. Will a private account still be reviewed?
You are expected to make your profiles accessible for visa review. If your account is private and unavailable, it could raise suspicion.

Q3. Can a meme or joke result in visa rejection?
Yes, if the content is deemed offensive or hostile. Always maintain respectful and neutral content during the visa process.

Q4. What if I delete controversial content before applying?
That’s a smart step. Reviewing and removing any potentially problematic content is highly recommended.

Q5. How can AVF help me with this?
We offer pre-visa counselling, including a Digital Profile Review to make sure your online presence supports your application, not hurts it.

Need Help Preparing for Your US Student Visa?

At AVF Consultants, we go beyond documentation. Our experienced counsellors offer personalised support for:

✔ University admissions
✔ Visa interviews
✔ SOP & documentation
✔ Social media audit
✔ Travel and pre-departure sessions

Book Your Free Consultation Today. Let’s turn your American dream into reality — the smart, safe, and secure way.