An Indian student's F-1 visa application was delayed after failing to disclose their Reddit account on the DS-160 visa application form. Despite the account being public and containing no controversial content, the omission resulted in heightened scrutiny during the in-person interview at the US embassy and has sent ripples through student and immigration communities.
The student attended the F-1 visa interview at the US embassy in India, expecting routine questions about academics and finances. However, the consular officer flagged the student's Reddit account after noticing it was not listed on the DS-160 form—a mandatory document that, since 2020, requires applicants to report all social media handles used in the last five years. The officer questioned why the Reddit account was not disclosed, even though it was set to public.
The student explained that they believed the account, being both public and anonymous, fell outside the scope of platforms typically considered for disclosure, like Facebook or Instagram. However, the officer issued a 221(g) slip, requesting full transparency and public access for all social media profiles. The student’s passport was also retained, pending further administrative processing.
The DS-160 asks applicants to list social media identifiers for platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Reddit, due to its pseudonymous nature, is often overlooked by applicants, yet recent updates from the US State Department require disclosure even for accounts on platforms like Reddit.
The incident highlights how automated vetting tools and consular interviews actively cross-reference digital footprints. Even technical hiccups—where a public profile appears private due to software or cache issues—can trigger further inquiry and delays.
Being handed a 221(g) slip does not mean a visa is denied outright. Instead, it signals the need for "additional administrative processing"—a limbo that can stretch from a few weeks to several months. For students with fast-approaching program start dates, these delays can result in emotional turmoil and jeopardized academic plans.
In this case, the student reacted by updating the Reddit profile with identifying details, making all content indisputably public, and uploading clarifying documents—including screenshots and URLs—to the US Travel Docs portal. They remain anxious, however, about technical glitches or mismatched usernames affecting the outcome.
The incident reflects a broader tightening of digital vetting by US consular authorities. In June 2025, the US State Department reinforced requirements for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange (J) visas, mandating that applicants make all social media accounts public and transparent for identity and security checks. This push aligns with increased algorithmic review of visa applicants following high-profile campus controversies and national security debates.
