US Student Visa 2025: Higher Fees, Social Media Checks, and Proposed Time Limits for Indian Applicants

New Delhi: The United States has announced significant changes to its student visa application process, introducing higher fees, mandatory social media screening, and a proposed time limit on student visas. While some measures are already in effect, others are expected to roll out from September 2025, likely increasing scrutiny and documentation requirements for Indian students.

1. Higher Visa Application FeeUnder the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, a new “visa integrity fee” of USD 250 (₹21,463) will apply to all applicants, including Indian students. In addition, a mandatory Form I-94 fee of USD 24 (₹2,060) will be charged for tracking the arrival and departure of foreign visitors.

2. Mandatory Social Media ScreeningThe US Embassy in India has announced that applicants for F, M, or J non-immigrant visas—commonly used by academic, vocational, and exchange students—must set all their social media accounts to “public” during the application process. This follows the 2019 rule requiring all visa applicants to submit their social media handles on both immigrant and non-immigrant application forms.

3. Proposed Time Limit on Student VisasIn a move aimed at reducing visa overstays, President Trump has proposed replacing the current “duration of status” rule—under which students can stay in the US as long as they are enrolled full-time—with a fixed stay period. Extensions would require periodic applications. The implementation date for this change has not yet been announced.

These changes come amid growing demand for US education among Indian students, who represent one of the largest groups of international students in America.

If you want, I can also make a headline-heavy, short-format version that would fit perfectly for a digital news portal or Instagram news card.Do you want me to make that next?