US Resumes Student Visa Processing with Stricter Social Media Screening

In a significant update impacting international students, the US State Department has officially resumed processing Student and Exchange Visitor Visas—including F (Academic), M (Vocational), and J (Exchange) categories—after a suspension that started on May 27, 2025. The resumption introduces a major policy change: mandatory enhanced social media screening for all applicants. As per a State Department directive dated June 18, 2025, all US consulates worldwide have been instructed to restart visa interviews while enforcing stringent digital background checks. What’s New in the Screening Process? Visa officers will now scrutinize not only applicants’ social media profiles but their entire digital footprint—including blogs, publications, and online affiliations. The screening aims to identify: Hostility toward US citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational principles Support for or advocacy of foreign terrorism or antisemitic violence Political activism likely to continue on US soil, especially if linked to unlawful acts