US visa denial over Reddit worries Hyderabad students.
During his F1 visa interview, the consular officer unexpectedly brought up the applicant’s Reddit activity, expressing concern over certain posts made on the platform. The student, who had secured admission to a reputed U.S. university, was surprised by the scrutiny of his online presence. The officer questioned whether the content aligned with the intent of his student visa. Despite explaining the context of his posts, the interview ended with a refusal, leaving him and other aspiring students in Hyderabad anxious and uncertain.
Hyderabad: Student Denied US Visa Over Reddit Account; Confusion Grows Among Aspirants
Hyderabad: In a rare but increasingly concerning case, a student from Hyderabad was recently denied a US student visa (F1) after the visa officer raised concerns about content on his Reddit account. The incident has sparked a wave of confusion and anxiety among aspiring students in the city, many of whom are now rethinking their plans to pursue higher education in the United States.
According to details shared by the student himself on Reddit, the issue came up during his F1 visa interview. He said that although he had submitted all required documentation and cleared other formalities, the officer specifically questioned his activity on Reddit. At the end of the interview, he was handed a 221(g) slip—a form indicating that the application requires further administrative processing.
What startled the student and others was the specific request mentioned in the slip: he was asked to make all his social media handles public for review.
Social Media Now Under the ScannerThis incident has brought attention to a growing trend in US visa processing. In recent years, the US State Department has made it mandatory for most visa applicants to submit their social media handles for review. The stated goal is to screen for any content that may raise red flags—particularly anything that could be interpreted as anti-US sentiment.
Consular officers have been given the authority to evaluate public posts, likes, shares, and comments to assess an applicant’s credibility and intentions. Refusal to make these accounts public, officials have warned, can result in outright rejection of visa applications.
What makes the Hyderabad student’s case stand out is that Reddit, unlike more commonly scrutinized platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), or Instagram, is generally considered semi-anonymous and less mainstream among Indian students. The fact that a Reddit account triggered a visa denial has deepened the unease.
A City Full of Aspirants Now on EdgeHyderabad has long been one of India’s most prominent hubs for students heading to the US for master’s degrees, especially in STEM fields. But recent developments—including stricter screening and public warnings from the US Embassy—are causing many to reevaluate their plans.
Just a few weeks ago, the US Embassy in India posted a stern message on X (formerly Twitter), warning that international students who drop out, skip classes, or fail to notify their universities about program changes will face serious consequences. The statement added to the growing uncertainty among Indian students, especially those preparing to study in the US for the first time.
Now, with the Reddit incident making rounds on social media and student forums, students are growing even more cautious.
Students Exploring AlternativesSpeaking on the condition of anonymity, a student currently preparing for the IELTS exam shared that he has already dropped the idea of studying in the US. “I was planning for Fall 2026 intake in the US, but after seeing how things are changing, I’ve shifted focus to Australia. The policies there are more student-friendly, and at least I don’t have to worry about my Reddit history,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
Another student from Hyderabad, who recently received admission from a US university, said the constant changes and lack of clarity are nerve-wracking. “I have nothing to hide, but what if something I posted five years ago is misunderstood? That kind of uncertainty makes it really hard to plan,” he said.
Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the UK are now becoming the preferred alternatives. Many students say that these destinations offer clearer guidelines, fewer post-arrival complications, and better work opportunities after graduation.
A Shifting Trend?Till recently, Hyderabad accounted for a significant portion of F1 visa approvals from India. Local consultancies, coaching centers, and test prep institutes in the city thrived on US-bound student traffic. But the growing complexity and perceived unpredictability of the US visa process may slowly be changing that.
Parents, too, are voicing concerns. “We invest so much—both emotionally and financially—into our children’s future. When visa decisions hinge on something like a Reddit post, it makes us very nervous,” said the father of an engineering student who is set to apply this fall.
As visa interviews become more invasive and scrutiny of digital footprints intensifies, the US may find itself losing out on thousands of bright, talented students from India. For now, the mood in Hyderabad is one of caution and reconsideration.