Think before you post: US visa may be denied over online activity, consultancies warn Indian students

United States: After the United States of America temporarily paused the scheduling of new student visa interviews at embassies worldwide, citing the need for more thorough vetting—particularly of applicants’ social media activity—several consultancies are urging students to be extremely cautious about what they post online.

This increased monitoring of social media aligns with the US president Trump administration’s broader push for stricter immigration measures, especially targeting foreign students.

Think before you post

Speaking to NewsMeter, a student from Hyderabad who recently applied for a US visa, said, “Last week, visa slots were available and processed through the usual scrutiny. I thought I could book this week too, but unfortunately, all slots are now blocked. During the process, my consultancy specifically warned me not to post anything related to political events, rallies or terrorism on social media, as such content could affect my visa approval. They also advised against participating in protests.”

He added, “With the current situation, I’m considering Australia or New Zealand as alternatives if I don’t get a US visa. Frankly, I don’t even feel safe going to the US anymore—I’m worried I might get deported without even knowing why.” Students across India are receiving similar warnings from their consultancies. Some are even advised to delete their social media accounts if they’ve posted potentially controversial content in the past.

A student from Bengaluru shared her experience: “I actively support the LGBT community in my State and often attend related events. After applying for my US visa, my consultancy inquired about my social media activity.

When I told them about my posts, they advised me to either delete the content or shut down my account altogether. I remember Donald Trump, during his 2024 campaign, pledged to ‘stop the transgender lunacy’ on day one of his presidency. Now, I’m confused about what to do.”

New visa regulations

As per the latest rules by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), visa applicants can now reschedule their appointments only once—down from the earlier allowance of two.

Missing a scheduled appointment altogether results in a 120-day ban on reapplying. These rules apply to both interview-based and interview-waiver visa appointments.

Rise in visa cancellations since April 2025

Since April, several top US universities have reported a sharp rise in visa cancellations, especially among Indian students. Once an F-1 visa is revoked, the student loses legal status in the US and becomes subject to deportation.

While some cancellations are reportedly linked to student participation in protests, others appear connected to online expressions of dissent—particularly criticism of the US government’s involvement in the ongoing war, now entering its 18th month.

According to the Associated Press, the level of scrutiny has intensified so much that even minor issues, like a speeding ticket, can lead to a visa review or revocation.