Don't remove Facebook, Instagram, X and other social media information from your US visa application — it could lead to rejection or even future ineligibility
The US Embassy in India has issued a firm warning to visa applicants: omitting social media details from your application can have serious consequences. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy reminded applicants to disclose all social media usernames or handles used in the past five years when filling out the DS-160 visa application form.
This includes accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others, even if the accounts are no longer active.
'Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form,' the post stated. 'Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit.'
Failing to do so may lead not only to a visa denial but also ineligibility for future visas under US law. This requirement is part of broader security and vetting protocols implemented by the US State Department in recent years.
New US visa rule: Social media must be public for student and exchange visa applicants
In addition to disclosing social media information, a new rule now applies to F, M, and J non-immigrant visa applicants, those seeking to study or participate in exchange programs in the United States.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Effective immediately, applicants in these categories are required to make all of their social media accounts public.
'All individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public,' the embassy stated, explaining that this change is meant to facilitate identity verification and vetting during the application process.
The F visa is generally used by academic students, the M visa by vocational students, and the J visa by exchange visitors, including interns, researchers, and scholars.
By requiring public profiles, US authorities aim to ensure greater transparency and consistency in the vetting process.
USCIS to change SMS notification number
In a separate update, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a change in its text messaging system. Starting July 1, 2025, USCIS will no longer send SMS notifications from its previous number 468-311 (GOV-311). The new number for official texts will be 872466 (USAIMM).
Applicants are advised to update their contact lists and remain alert to this change in order to avoid mistaking USCIS messages for spam or missing important updates about their visa or immigration status. This shift is part of USCIS's ongoing efforts to streamline and secure communication with visa holders and applicants.
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