06/20/2025

US Resumes Visas for Foreign Students with a Caveat

The State Department is demanding access to students' social media accounts

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.

The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. No remarks were provided as to whether critical remarks about the current administration would impede an individual's ability to receive a visa.

In a notice made public Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its May suspension of student visa processing but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected. It said a refusal to do so could be a sign they are trying to evade the requirement or hide their online activity.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ABC News.