The U.S State Department has announced the resumption of visa services for foreign students, but now applicants must give access to their social media activities in order to get a visa.

According to the State Department, this step has been taken due to security concerns. To assess the ambitions and ideas of foreign students coming to the United States. Officials say social media is one such tool. Where people’s real thoughts and tendencies are reflected, therefore, this information is being considered important under the visa policy.

Monitoring of Critical Posts and Messages

According to the Associated Press, U.S. consular officers will now monitor applicants social media posts and messages that are critical of the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.

The US State Department links new visa policy to national security concerns.

The State Department confirmed in a recent statement that the student visa service, which was temporarily suspended in May, has been restored. However, candidates who refuse to give access to social media accounts may have their application rejected. According to officials, hiding online activity can raise questions about transparency.

Visa Interviews Resume with Priorities

Last month, the Trump administration temporarily suspended visa interviews for international students. However, the visa interviews have now been resumed. A 27-year-old Toronto-based PhD student with Chinese citizenship, who is due to start an internship in the US in July, has been granted an interview for next week.

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Priority for Universities With Less Than 15% International Students

U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed to prioritize students who are enrolled in these U.S. educational institutions. Foreign students are less than 15%.

There are more than 200 universities in the United States. International students make up more than 15% of the population.

Future Implications for International Students

According to analysts, the policy could affect thousands of students who want to study in the United States in the future. People expressing personal or political opinions on social media will now have to be more careful, as their old posts can influence the visa decision.

The university administration is also concerned about the situation. A lack of international students can also affect educational quality, cultural diversity, and income.