US visa refused over Reddit account; Hyderabad students concerned

Hyderabad: A student has been denied a US visa over a Reddit account, and it has led to confusion among applicants from Hyderabad.

Following the denial, the student shared the details on his Reddit account, disclosing that he was handed a 221(g) slip.

Make social media handles public

As per the details shared by the applicant, during the F1 visa interview, the officer raised a concern about his Reddit account.

At the end of the interview, he was given a 221(g) slip requesting that he make all his social media handles public.

Recently, the US State Department has asked applicants to grant access to their public social media profiles for review.

The US authorities have made it clear that they will evaluate posts and activities on social media to check for anti-US government sentiment.

Further, they declared that applications of those who refuse to make their social media accounts public will be rejected.

Hyderabad students in limbo over US visa

Ever since the US Embassy in India wrote on its X handle that students who drop out, skip classes, or leave their program of study without informing their school will face consequences, students from various cities in India have been in confusion.

If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues. pic.twitter.com/34wJ7nkip0

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 27, 2025

Following the warning and considering the Trump administration’s policies for students and immigrants, they are considering alternatives such as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the UK.

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US begins student visa processing; Hyderabad consultancies give advice

Now, the incident of a US visa refusal over a Reddit account—which students generally don’t use—has triggered another wave of confusion.

On condition of anonymity, a student in Hyderabad who is preparing for IELTS and planning for a master’s program abroad said that he dropped his US plan after seeing the changing policies.

Another person said that he has already decided to apply to Australia instead of the US.

Till recently, Hyderabad used to send many students to the US on an F1 visa for master’s programs. It remains to be seen whether the strict visa policies of the US will have an impact on the trend.

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