India has formally responded to the United States' updated guidelines requiring visa applicants to disclose their social media identifiers, emphasizing that all visa applications of Indian nationals should be assessed strictly on merit. This statement comes in the wake of growing concerns among Indian applicants, particularly students and professionals, about the enhanced scrutiny of their social media activity as part of the US visa application process.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media, acknowledging the US Embassy's updated visa application guidelines. He stated that visa and immigration matters fall under the sovereign functions of any country. However, he reiterated India's stance that all visa applications from Indian nationals should be evaluated based on their individual merits.
The US Embassy in India has been actively communicating these new requirements. In a recent social media post, the embassy stated that visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles for every platform they have used in the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form. The embassy also warned that omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas, emphasizing that visa adjudication is a national security decision.
Furthermore, the US Embassy has issued a directive specifically for applicants seeking F, M, or J non-immigrant visas (student and exchange visitor visas). These applicants are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public. This measure is intended to facilitate the necessary vetting to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law.
These changes are part of a broader effort by the US government to enhance security and ensure the integrity of the visa process. The inclusion of social media checks allows consular officers to scrutinize applicants' online activity for any content deemed hostile or contrary to US national interests. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also warned that social media activity endorsing terrorist groups or engaging in antisemitic harassment could lead to visa denial or revocation.
India has expressed its concerns regarding the potential impact of these measures on genuine applicants, especially students and professionals seeking academic or work opportunities in the US. The MEA has reassured that India remains in continuous dialogue with the US on consular and mobility-related issues to protect the interests of its citizens. This includes ensuring that the legitimate interests of Indian nationals are safeguarded and that visa decisions are not influenced by broad assumptions or biases.
While acknowledging the US's right to enforce its immigration protocols, Indian officials are keen to ensure that the visa process remains fair and merit-based for Indian applicants. The emphasis on merit-based assessment is a call for the US authorities to consider each application individually, taking into account the applicant's qualifications, intentions, and overall profile, rather than relying solely on social media activity, which may not always provide a complete or accurate representation of an individual.
The situation is evolving, and India continues to engage with the US to address any concerns and ensure that the interests of Indian citizens are protected in the context of these changing visa policies.
