Student Visa Applications Resume: What to Consider about Social Media Screening in the U.S.
With renewed chances of studying in the United States, international students must again apply for student visas. Along with this renewed interest, important news comes: social media activities are now included in the evaluation process.
1. Your social media account will be scrutinized
Indeed, part of the new update involves reviewing the social media profiles of applicants by the U.S. consular officials. One of the several other motives to do this is security screening to make sure that no applicant will pose harm or threat to the country.
2. Open your profiles to public views
As such, applicants are supposed to make their social media accounts viewable by U.S. authorities. If your accounts are set to private, or if you refuse to give access, you might be putting your visa chance in jeopardy.
3. National security is the reason
The step is meant to screen out those people whose beliefs or possible intentions may prove to be a threat against U.S. security. The standards by which an applicant would be judged in this regard have not been clarified. Still, applicants are advised to exercise online politeness, neutralness, and respectfulness.
4. Be Careful of Your Postings
Even what appears threatening or anti-American may set off a red flag. Although just how stringent such criteria might be remains under wraps, y’all would do well to refrain from posting anything that could be misconstrued or deemed disrespectful.
5. A Growing Opportunity
This new law opens up doors for international students to gain more knowledge about global norms and the way to navigate through those. Nurturing these requirements can help produce resilience and cultural awareness-the important capabilities for reaching out to the world connected today.
Final Reflections
As student visa processing resumes, it is essential to learn what added responsibilities come along with it in terms of online public presence. Reviewing and putting a clean-up on social media profiles before applying would go a long way in avoiding complications.
