US Resumes F1 Visa Interviews with Tighter Screening Measures

F1 visa interviews have resumed in the United States with significantly stricter screening procedures than before. Currently, more than one million international students are studying abroad in the USA, and this policy change affects all prospective students seeking to join them. The F-1 student visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), now requires additional scrutiny for all applicants.
 

Perhaps the most notable change is the mandatory social media screening requirement. Additionally, all F, M, and J visa applicants, regardless of prior visa history, must now provide their social media identifiers and set their accounts to public for review. US consular officers will check these profiles for signs of hostility toward the United States, its government, culture, institutions, or founding values. 


However, applicants should be aware that refusing to make social media accounts public could be interpreted as an attempt to hide certain activity and may result in visa rejection. This article examines the resumed interview process, new screening requirements, and how prospective students can best prepare for their F1 visa interview.

 

US resumes F-1 visa interviews after temporary pause

The U.S. State Department officially ended its temporary freeze on student visa interviews on June 18, 2025, when it instructed all diplomatic posts worldwide to resume scheduling appointments for F, M, and J visa applicants. This announcement concluded a nearly four-week suspension that began on May 27, 2025, during which no new student visa interview slots were added.
 

The original pause was implemented to allow consular offices time to prepare for an expansion of required social media screening procedures. Notably, the timing of this suspension caused significant concern among international students and universities, as it occurred during the critical May-August period when approximately 70% of all U.S. student visas are typically issued.
 

Throughout the suspension, previously scheduled visa interviews were still conducted, though some cancelations were reported. Several students did manage to receive visas during this period, as the freeze specifically affected only the scheduling of new appointments.
 

Consequently, the interruption created a substantial backlog of applications, particularly affecting students planning to begin their studies in the fall 2025 semester. The State Department has indicated that while processing will "go pretty quickly" once fully resumed, the system now faces the challenge of making up for lost time.
 

Furthermore, the enhanced screening procedures will apply to both new and returning visa applicants. Posts have been instructed to "consider overall scheduling volume and the resource demands of appropriate vetting," suggesting that fewer F, M, and J visa cases might be processed than previously.
 

Meanwhile, many U.S. universities have begun developing contingency plans for affected students, including options for deferred enrollment, remote classes for the first semester, or enhanced support services. For applicants still awaiting interviews, maintaining updated documentation remains essential to act quickly when appointments become available.
 

The resumed interview process represents a balancing act between national security concerns and maintaining America's position as a leading destination for international education, which contributed approximately ₹3,695.86 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year.

 

US mandates public social media profiles for visa applicants

In a significant policy shift announced on June 19, 2025, the State Department now requires all F, M, and J visa applicants to adjust their social media privacy settings to "public" for vetting purposes. According to the State Department, this measure facilitates "comprehensive and thorough vetting" of all student and exchange visitor visa applicants.
 

As part of this enhanced screening process, consular officers will examine applicants' "entire online presence". Officers are specifically instructed to identify applicants who demonstrate hostility toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles. Moreover, they will screen for individuals who support designated terrorists or perpetrate antisemitic harassment or violence.
 

The mandate covers major international platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, as well as regional platforms like Douban, VKontakte, and Youku. Applicants must list all usernames or handles used across these platforms during the past five years on their DS-160 visa application forms.
 

Essentially, keeping social media accounts private could be interpreted as an attempt to "evade or hide certain activity". The State Department explicitly warns that "refusing access to social media could be seen as an attempt to hide online behavior or evade screening". This could serve as grounds for immediate visa denial, regardless of whether other application documents are complete.
 

In fact, consular officers are instructed to take "detailed case notes" including screenshots for additional review. The State Department emphasized that "every visa adjudication is a national security decision", further noting that this enhanced vetting ensures proper screening of everyone attempting to visit the country.
 

This policy builds upon a 2019 requirement where visa applicants had to provide social media identifiers but did not necessarily need to make their accounts public. Under current guidelines, applicants must also disclose multiple accounts on the same platform and inactive accounts used within the five-year timeframe.
 

How students can prepare for the new F-1 visa interview process

Preparing thoroughly for an F1 visa interview remains essential, especially with the new social media screening requirements. First and foremost, applicants should gather all required documents, including a valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your stay), DS-160 confirmation page, interview appointment letter, SEVIS fee receipt, and Form I-20 from your university. Supporting documents should demonstrate your academic qualifications, financial capability, and ties to your home country.
 

For the mandatory social media review, applicants should adjust all social media profiles to "public" status without deleting content, as sudden changes might raise suspicion. Indeed, leaving profiles private "could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity." List all social media handles used in the past five years on your DS-160 form, including inactive accounts. Importantly, do not create new accounts or delete existing ones immediately before your interview.
 

Financial documentation must clearly show how you'll cover approximately $18,000-$24,000 for your education. Subsequently, prepare a detailed resume following the format requested by US consulates, including personal information, educational background, work experience, and travel itinerary.
 

Practice answering common questions about your study plans, university choice, academic capability, financial status, and post-graduation plans. Likewise, be ready to explain why you chose the US over your home country and how your degree connects to your future career goals. Mock interviews can provide valuable feedback—some platforms report a "94% success rate" for applicants who practice beforehand.
 

On interview day, arrive early, dress professionally, and speak confidently in English. Hence, remember that consular officers make decisions within "the first minute of the interview," so first impressions matter greatly. Above all, demonstrate strong ties to your home country and clear intentions to return after completing your studies.
 

The Outlook

The landscape for international students seeking to study in the United States has fundamentally changed. Undoubtedly, the newly implemented social media screening requirements represent one of the most significant shifts in F1 visa policy in recent years. Students must accordingly adapt to these changes, especially the mandate for public social media profiles that allow consular officers to examine their online presence thoroughly.
 

During the temporary pause, many prospective students faced uncertainty about their academic futures. Nevertheless, the resumption of interviews brings renewed hope, albeit with stricter vetting procedures. Consequently, applicants now navigate a more complex process than before, one that examines not just their academic qualifications but also their digital footprints.
 

Social media scrutiny stands as perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of these changes. Consular officers specifically look for signs of hostility toward American values or support for designated terrorist organizations. Therefore, students must understand that their online presence could significantly impact their visa eligibility.
 

Financial documentation and strong ties to home countries remain crucial elements of successful applications. Additionally, proper preparation for interview questions about study plans and post-graduation intentions helps demonstrate genuine student status. The visa interview process thus serves dual purposes: evaluating legitimate educational intent while also functioning as a national security screening mechanism.
 

American universities have responded to these challenges by developing contingency plans for affected students. However, the responsibility ultimately falls on applicants to ensure complete compliance with all requirements. Last but certainly not least, prospective students should remember that despite these heightened measures, the United States continues to value international education, which contributes billions to the economy annually.
 

Students who approach this process with transparency, thorough preparation, and honest intentions will certainly find their path to studying in America challenging but still achievable. The enhanced screening procedures, though demanding, aim to maintain America's position as a premier destination for international education while addressing security concerns. These changes, rather than discouraging legitimate students, should reassure them that their eventual academic experience will take place in a carefully secured environment.