Disclose Social Media info for the last 5 years: US Embassy

Hyderabad: US Embassy in India on Thursday issued a clear directive for all visa applicants to disclose their social media usernames or handles used over the past five years. The instruction, part of the standard DS-160 visa application process, applies to all platforms and is a key component of the United States’ background verification and national security checks.

Social Media Disclosure Now Mandatory

“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 U.S. Embassy stated in an official post on X. “Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit it.”

The Embassy warned that failure to disclose this information could result in serious consequences. “Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the statement added.

Social Media Privacy Settings Also Under Review

Earlier this week, on June 23, the Embassy advised applicants for F, M, or J category non-immigrant visas—primarily student and exchange visitor visas—to make their social media accounts public. The rationale, it said, was to facilitate identity verification and legal admissibility checks.

Every Visa is a National Security Decision

A digital poster shared by the Embassy reinforced the policy by stating, “Every U.S. visa adjudication is a national security decision.” It continued, “The United States requires visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting.”

This approach is consistent with the U.S. visa policies in place since 2019, when social media disclosure became a formal requirement for most categories of immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

Crackdown on Immigration Violations

The Embassy’s recent statements come amid an intensified immigration enforcement drive by the U.S. administration, particularly following operations in Los Angeles. On June 24, the Embassy highlighted increased immigration law enforcement, warning that violators could face “detention, deportation, and permanent consequences for future visa eligibility.”

In a previous statement issued on June 19, the Embassy emphasized that “a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” and that post-issuance monitoring is ongoing. It noted that violating U.S. laws or engaging in illegal activities, such as drug use, while on a student or visitor visa could lead to visa revocation and ineligibility.

Illegal Immigration Will Not Be Tolerated, Says Embassy

Earlier on June 16, the Embassy stated that while the U.S. welcomes lawful immigration, it “will not tolerate” illegal entry or the facilitation of mass immigration. It also announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign officials and others involved in visa fraud or misuse.

Summary

The U.S. Embassy’s series of advisories this month reflects a strict approach to visa issuance and immigration enforcement. Social media activity, legal behavior while on U.S. soil, and accurate disclosures during the application process are all now critical to a person’s visa prospects. The message is clear: transparency and compliance are non-negotiable.