A student from India faced an unexpected roadblock during their F-1 visa application process to the United States. Despite having a clean, public social media presence, the applicant was denied clearance due to one overlooked detail—a Reddit account not listed in the application.
According to a post shared in a popular visa discussion forum, the applicant attended a routine visa interview recently. During the session, the officer questioned the student about a Reddit handle that had not been mentioned on the DS-160 form. This form is an important part of the US non-immigrant visa application and requires full disclosure of the applicant’s online presence.
Although the student insisted that the Reddit account was already public and did not include any controversial or inappropriate content, the officer noted that the handle was not accessible. The applicant said the account appeared private during the interview even though it was technically set to public.
Following this confusion, the officer issued a 221(g) slip, a document used when a visa application needs further review. The slip requested the student to make all social media profiles publicly visible to assist with identity verification and background checks.
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Why Social Media Is Now a Key Factor in US Visa Decisions
In June, the US State Department issued new instructions requiring all F, M, and J visa applicants—mainly students—to make their social media accounts public during the application process. This decision aims to increase transparency and help officials verify applicants’ backgrounds and intentions for visiting the country.
The official notice stated that a US visa is considered a privilege, not a right, and vetting does not end after the visa is approved. Even after receiving a visa, individuals may still have it revoked if any rules are broken.
The new rule comes as part of stricter checks under US immigration policies. The embassy’s update on June 23 clarified that these steps are needed to establish a person’s identity and admissibility under US laws.
Social media vetting for visa applicants isn’t entirely new. Since 2019, the US has been asking for usernames and online profiles. However, the latest directive signals that applicants must now go a step further—ensuring that these profiles are visible to the public without any privacy restrictions.
The officer’s comment that the Reddit profile could not be seen—even though it was supposedly public—adds a layer of confusion for applicants. This also raises concern among students and travellers who worry about how technical glitches or platform-specific settings might affect their application outcomes.
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221(g) Slip: What It Means for Visa Applicants
Being issued a 221(g) slip doesn’t mean an applicant has been denied a visa. Instead, it means the process has been put on hold until further documents or clarifications are provided. In the case of the Indian student, the slip specifically requested public visibility for all social media accounts, including Reddit.
However, what caused concern for the student was the possibility that their Reddit profile might still appear private, even after setting it to public. This kind of technical issue can be difficult to prove or fix, especially if different systems display privacy settings differently.
Applicants facing such issues are advised to comply fully and promptly with the slip’s instructions. The sooner the required changes are made and confirmed, the faster the application can be reviewed again.
The case highlights a growing area of concern among international students. As the US tightens digital scrutiny, even a single missing social media handle—or a misunderstood privacy setting—can become a deciding factor in whether a student is granted a visa or left in uncertainty.
For now, the student waits for a follow-up decision, hoping the technical confusion does not lead to a final rejection.