US Visa Denied After Indian Applicant Fails to Disclose Reddit Account.

July 15, 2025 — New Delhi
An Indian student applying for a U.S. F-1 visa says their application was refused after they failed to list their Reddit account on the visa form, despite it being publicly accessible and containing no offensive content.

The applicant shared their experience on a visa-related subreddit, explaining that the visa officer raised concerns during the interview about the omission. Although the account was set to public, the officer said it was not visible and issued a 221(g) slip — a temporary refusal requesting that all social media accounts be made public for further review.

“My concern is that it was already public. If it’s a technical issue, it could happen again when they recheck my profile, which may lead to a final denial,” the applicant wrote.

Background on Social Media Checks

Since June 23, the U.S. State Department has required applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas to make all social media accounts public to aid in identity verification and security vetting. This policy builds on social media screening measures in place since 2019 but signals an increased level of scrutiny under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

The U.S. Embassy has stated that a visa is “a privilege, not a right”, and that vetting continues even after issuance — with the possibility of revocation if visa holders violate U.S. laws.

The enhanced monitoring coincides with broader immigration enforcement efforts, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented individuals.