The US State Department made social media screening universal for all F, M and J applicants on June 18, 2025 . June 18 2025 social media screening F1 visa now requires consular officers to review GitHub, LinkedIn and other platforms routinely.
The change has sharply increased 221(g) administrative processing holds at Indian consulates. AP or Visa Mantis reviews routinely take 4–6 months , and STEM applicants in Technology Alert List (TAL) fields face the longest delays.
June 18 2025 social media screening F1 visa — what officers now check
Officers routinely review public GitHub and LinkedIn content alongside other social platforms. GitHub and LinkedIn pose higher risk because they often include research descriptions, repository names and professional summaries that map to TAL categories.
Omitting a platform on the DS-160 can amount to false certification and lead to permanent visa ineligibility. Deleting or privatizing accounts shortly before an interview also triggers suspicion and may prompt additional review.
June 18 2025 social media screening F1 visa: timeline, cases and planning
Key dates and events are listed below. Treat administrative processing as a planning assumption if your field is TAL-adjacent.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Universal social media screening announced | June 18, 2025 |
| Kaushik Raj visa interview | July 29, 2025 |
| Kaushik Raj application refused | August 4, 2025 |
| Kaushik Raj moved to administrative processing | August 11, 2025 |
| Kaushik Raj returned to refused | August 14, 2025 |
| Suggested visa application deadline for Fall 2026 start | Feb–Mar 2026 |
The Kaushik Raj case illustrates the new scrutiny. Raj, who had a $100,000 scholarship to Columbia, faced refusal and AP moves between July 29 and August 14, 2025 after officers asked to view his social media.
Indians make up 27% of all international students in the US and are concentrated in TAL-relevant STEM fields such as machine learning, biotechnology and cybersecurity. The TAL covers 13 technology categories; common Indian MS/PhD choices often fall inside those categories.
Practical, documented requirements include listing every social media username used in the past 5 years on the DS-160 and ensuring nationality, location history and identity are consistent across platforms. Do not delete posts or make accounts private immediately before the interview.
Check CEAC for any 221(g) updates if you receive a referral. Apply at least six months before your programme start if you work in TAL-adjacent areas; for August 2026 starts, aim for Feb–Mar 2026 .
FAQs
Q: What platforms are reviewed for F/M/J applicants? A: GitHub, LinkedIn and multiple social platforms; list every username used in the past five years on DS-160.
Q: Does privatizing or deleting content help? A: No. Deletion or making accounts private near the interview raises flags.
Q: How long does administrative processing take? A: Visa Mantis/AP reviews routinely take 4–6 months , with no guaranteed timeline.
Q: What triggers a TAL referral? A: Field-of-study entries on DS-160, public content with TAL-adjacent keywords, or research descriptions on GitHub/LinkedIn.
Q: When should TAL-adjacent applicants apply? A: At least six months before programme start; for Fall 2026, apply by Feb–Mar 2026 .
Q: What should you list on DS-160? A: Every social media username used in the last five years, including previous handles.
Q: Should you change account visibility before interview? A: No. Set consistent visibility well before the interview; sudden changes raise suspicion.
Q: Where to track an AP case? A: Monitor CEAC and follow any document requests from consular authorities.