Pakistan, June 20 -- The United States has resumed the suspended process for foreign student visa applications, but with a new requirement: applicants must make their social media profiles public to allow government officials to conduct in-depth online vetting.
In a statement released Wednesday, the US State Department said consular officers will now be instructed to examine social media posts for any content deemed hostile to the United States-its people, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.
Visa applicants who refuse to comply with the requirement to unlock their social media settings may be considered evasive and risk rejection. "A refusal to do so could be a sign they are trying to hide their online activity," th...