These instructions were issued on Instagram by the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore.
The US government has instructed Pakistani nationals applying for student and exchange program categories to make their social media accounts “public” so that US authorities can identify them and conduct security vetting.
The instructions were issued on Instagram by the US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore, an extension of instructions issued by the US Embassy in Delhi this week.
According to the statement, “All individuals applying for F, M or J category nonimmigrant visas should set the privacy settings of all their social media accounts to ‘public’ to verify their identity and eligibility to enter the United States.”
It should be noted that since 2019, the US has been asking for social media information (account handles) from all visa applicants, but this requirement is now being strictly enforced. According to officials, not providing social media information or providing false information can lead to visa denial and future ineligibility.
F and M visas are issued for admission to US educational institutions, while J visas are reserved for those involved in exchange programs.
The move comes as part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s policy to overhaul the student visa system and tighten security checks.
