Applicants for U.S. student visas encounter social media vetting during interviews
發佈日期: 2025-05-29 19:31
TVB News
In Hong Kong, some students said they were asked to provide information of their social media accounts during their application for U.S. visas.
Dozens of people could be seen lining up outside the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong.
Some of them are student visa applicants.
This man said he was quite nervous during the application process as he was asked about his social media activities while filling out the application form.
He said he was also questioned about his views on the new U.S. policies and he replied he had not paid close attention to the issue.
Other visa applicants also expressed concerns about the social media vetting.
A U.S. visa applicant said, " I think it is completely unnecessary because it is a political issue. Students and education (institutions) should not be involved. I don't see any sense over there. I feel kind of nervous because of the policies which are not really friendly to foreigners. So, I am not sure if it will impact the businesses or not".
According to the procedure, student visa applicants can schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate after being accepted to an American university. This is usually in May or June.
Some overseas study consultants said applicants can consider applying to universities in other countries, such as the UK or Australia, if they fail to get a visa from the U.S. government.
The consultants said those planning to study in the UK in September need to submit their visa applications by the end of July, while students aiming to start the new school year at Australian universities in February have to apply for their visas by December at the latest.
