U.S. Student Visa Process Tightens: Social Media Disclosure Now Mandatory

The U.S. visa application process continues to grow more stringent, especially for students. The U.S. Consulate General in Lahore recently announced via its official X (formerly Twitter) account that Pakistani students planning to study in the United States must now provide their social media information as part of their visa application process.

This measure, initially introduced in 2019, has become a key component of the U.S. government’s security screening procedure. All applicants, including those applying for F, J, and M category visas, are expected to disclose their social media handles to ensure transparency and enhance background checks.

F visas are for academic studies, J visas cover exchange programs, and M visas are designated for vocational or non-academic studies.

The consulate has advised all prospective students to thoroughly review the latest visa guidelines available on the official website www.ustraveldocs.com before submitting their applications. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in delays or visa rejections.

Authorities emphasize that staying informed about policy changes is crucial to avoid issues during the application process.