The United States announced on Wednesday that it would resume processing of visa applications from foreign students but that all applicants would now be required to make their social media accounts available for review.

The State Department said that an applicant's failure to set their accounts to "public," the lowest-level privacy setting, could be taken as a sign they are trying to hide their online activity.

"Under new guidance, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants," read a statement.

"The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country."

US student visas: what will officials be looking for?

In internal guidance sent to consular officers and cited by the Associated Press, the department said staff should be looking for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States."

The Trump administration last month temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students, leaving students around the world waiting anxiously for consulates to reopen appointments.

With the window closing to make travel and accommodation arrangements ahead of the start of term, students from China, India, Mexico and the Philippines have been posting on social networks that they have been refreshing visa booking websites and following State Department press briefings for any hint of a resumption of applications.

Source: DW

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