US Visa at Risk Over Social Media Activity: Students and Workers Warned

Foreign students and workers applying for U.S. visas are facing unprecedented scrutiny as the U.S. government intensifies social media checks. The U.S. State Department has started reviewing the online profiles of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, as well as students applying for F visas, to ensure that no online activity raises security or eligibility concerns.

Immigration attorney Brad Bernstein warned that visa approvals are now far from automatic. Officers will examine applicants’ profiles across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Snapchat, and even blog posts or YouTube comments. Any controversial post, comment, or inconsistency could lead to visa denial.

Applicants are strongly advised to ensure their online presence aligns with their stated intentions in visa applications. Bernstein emphasized, “Your online and offline profiles must match. Even minor discrepancies—like stating full-time student status in your application while your LinkedIn shows freelance work or ridesharing—can raise doubts about your credibility.”

Additionally, posts indicating extremist sympathies, support for controversial groups, misleading statements about U.S. intentions, or any deleted content after applying for a visa may result in immediate rejection. Applicants should thoroughly review their online footprint before attending interviews, including searching their names on Google to see what information is publicly available.

The U.S. government maintains that visa issuance is a privilege, not a right, and these social media screenings are part of broader national and public security measures to prevent abuse and ensure applicant integrity.

This move underscores a growing trend where online behavior, even a single comment on platforms like YouTube, can directly influence a person’s ability to live, work, or study in the United States.