The US State Department will check foreign students' social media accounts to assess their attitudes before approving visas.

Foreign students who want to study in the United States will have their social media accounts vetted under new State Department guidelines that resume processing visa applications. This involves setting accounts to public mode for a thorough check of online presence. Officials will look for indications of hostile attitudes toward the US or illegal activity. The new measures come amid a history of increased immigration controls, including during the Trump administration, and raise concerns about the impact on international students.