Being able to study abroad is no doubt everyone’s dream, but if you’re looking to pursue your studies in the United States (US), there’s a new requirement that you should take note of.
This comes after the US government introduced the new rule when it comes to foreign students, including Malaysians, looking to apply for student or exchange programme visas.
Not set to ‘public’? No US visa
According to an X post shared by the US Embassy in Malaysia, it announced that foreign students are now required to change their social media profile settings to “Public” with immediate effect.
Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States… pic.twitter.com/JR9e5qMlDA
— U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (@usembassykl) June 30, 2025
It added this was to “facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States”.
This new regulation will affect ‘F’, ‘M’, and ‘J’ nonimmigrant visas, where it is designated for academic students, vocational students, and exchange students, respectively.
The embassy also added that this actually isn’t a new requirement, saying that it has been carried out since 2019.
Meanwhile, BBC reported that the US State Department has resumed international student visas applications starting June 18, where foreign students are required to make their social media accounts public so that authorities can detect “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”.
Move triggered by meme incident
This new regulation comes at the heel of an incident that took place on June 28, where a Norwegian tourist named Mads Mikkelsen claimed he was kicked out of the US after officials found a meme featuring a bald-headed JD Vance, the US Vice President, on his phone.
However, the US Homeland Security refuted the claim, saying he was denied entry into the country due to his history of drug use.
BS. Claims that Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a JD Vance meme are FALSE.
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) June 24, 2025
Mikkelsen was refused entry into the U.S. for his admitted drug use. pic.twitter.com/AbXczQ8tg5
Additionally, the Trump administration said it will keep an eye on the social media accounts of immigrants for “anti-Semitic activity”, which will to students as well as individuals applying for permanent resident status, reported The Guardian.
What do you think of this move? Let us know in the comments!
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