India urges merit-based visa process as US mandates 5-year social media disclosure
The Indian government has responded to recent US visa requirements mandating that applicants disclose all social media platforms they have used over the past five years. The response came after a series of advisories from the US Embassy in India outlining the tightening of visa regulations, citing national security concerns.The US Embassy in India issued a fresh advisory on June 26, 2025, informing that all visa applicants must provide usernames or handles for every social media platform used in the past five years when filling out the DS-160 form. Failure to do so, the embassy warned, could result in visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.advertisementApplicants are required to declare that the information in their application is true and complete before submission.
On June 23, the embassy further requested that F, M, or J category visa seekers, primarily students and exchange visitors, switch their social media accounts to the public to help authorities verify their identity and admissibility under US law.Describing every visa adjudication as a 'national security decision', the US has been using all available data for screening purposes.Two digital posters shared by the embassy reiterated the message, stating that 'The United States requires visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on visa forms' and that 'all available information is used in screening and vetting.'INDIA CALLS FOR FAIR TREATMENTReacting to the new developments, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing in New Delhi that visa and immigration matters fall under the sovereign rights of each nation.advertisementHowever, he added that India has taken note of the updated US guidelines and believes that 'all visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated on the basis of merit.'He assured that India remains in close engagement with the US on all matters related to mobility and consular services to safeguard the legitimate interests of Indian nationals.WIDER CONTEXT OF VISA ENFORCEMENTThe stricter visa scrutiny comes against the backdrop of a broader immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, as part of enforcement measures under the Trump administration. On June 24, the embassy stated that individuals violating immigration laws could face detention, deportation, and long-term visa bans.In advisories earlier this month, the US Embassy stressed that a visa is 'a privilege, not a right', warning that even legal visa holders can have their visas revoked for breaking US laws or using illegal drugs.On June 16, the embassy added that new visa restrictions had been introduced for foreign government officials and violators, asserting that the US 'will not tolerate' illegal or mass immigration, nor the misuse of its visa system.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
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