Social Media Account Privacy Settings to Apply for US Study Visa Announced – YOA

Planning to study within the United States? If you’re making use of for an F, M, or J pupil or trade customer visa, your social media exercise over the past 5 years is now part of the U.S. visa screening course of—and this requires your full consideration.

To aid you keep away from sudden denials or delays, right here’s a transparent information on how to responsibly handle your social media accounts whereas getting ready your visa application:

Why Social Media Vetting Matters?

Since 2019, U.S. visa candidates have been required to disclose all social media handles used previously 5 years on their DS-160 visa application type. This info is utilized by consular officers to:

• Confirm the id of the applicant
• Assess eligibility and admissibility below U.S. immigration legislation
• Screen for potential nationwide safety threats

Note: As of June 2025, U.S. embassies and consulates are requesting candidates to set all social media accounts to ‘public’ to assist facilitate this vetting course of.

What You Need to Do With Your Social Media Accounts?

Before your visa interview:

1# Make Your Social Media Accounts Public Temporarily

• • Switch your privateness settings on platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, TikTookay, LinkedIn, and others to public.
  • Make certain your show identify matches the id particulars in your passport or application, the place attainable.
  • Remove or right any handles or accounts that will have pretend or deceptive info.

2# List All Your Social Media Platforms Honestly on DS-160 Form

• • On the DS-160 type, you might be required to listing each social media platform and related deal with you will have used within the final 5 years.
  • This contains inactive accounts—don’t omit any profile considering it’s irrelevant.
  • Honesty is essential: False declarations or omissions might lead to denial and even disqualification for future visas.

What to Avoid?

• • ❌ Do not conceal or delete your accounts throughout the application course of.
  • ❌ Avoid suspicious content material or exercise that may elevate flags throughout vetting.
  • ❌ Do not listing pretend usernames or create pretend accounts to cowl your actual ones.

Missed Your Appointment? Here’s What You Can Do

If you can’t safe a pupil visa appointment in time for your:

• June or July 2025 program begin date: Request an expedited appointment by way of the U.S. Embassy’s on-line portal and connect your I-20 or DS-2019.
• August 2025 or later begin date: Be affected person and proceed monitoring the system for newly launched slots.

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