US Will Open International Student Visa Again, Check Social Media Accounts As A Requirement

JAKARTA - The United States (US) government will resume the visa issuance process for international students at US embassies abroad.

However, all applicants are now required to open access to their social media accounts as part of a stricter screening process.

This policy was implemented after President Donald Trump's administration temporarily suspended visa interviews in May for visa applicants for the category "F" (academic student), "M" (vocational student), and "J" (cultural exchange).

"Based on the new guidelines, we will carry out a thorough examination, including monitoring digital traces and the online presence of student visa applicants and student exchanges," the US State Department said in a statement reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 19.

The Washington Post newspaper reported prospective students would be selected to identify hostile attitudes towards US citizens, culture, government, institutions, or basic principles, citing the contents of diplomatic wires sent to various US consular embassies and services.

The wire also acknowledged that the new policy would increase the workload for embassy and consular staff. Therefore, it may require a reduction in the number of visa interviews, according to the report.

The Trump administration has tightened standards for international student admissions, citing alleged antisemitism in student demonstrations protesting Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Trump specifically showed a tough stance on Harvard University, which was deemed to have failed to stop student demonstrations. The government pressured the campus by freezing subsidies and suspending the institution's eligibility to accept international students.