As the US government tightens social media checks for visa applicants, it’s important to know exactly how to fill out your DS-160 or DS-260 form. A new section on social media requires applicants to share their online presence from the last five years. Here’s a guide for applicants to go through the process without stress.
Social Media must be public from December 15
Under the new rule, every social-media account linked to the visa applicant must be switched to public until the visa decision is complete. This includes: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit and Smaller online forums.
“As of December 15, the Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public,” according to Travel.state.gov.
Consular officers will now compare an applicant’s online posts, work history, and group memberships with the information given in the DS-160 form and the underlying petition. Even small mismatches can lead to extra security reviews or delays, and even cancellations in some cases. According to the US state dep, this is meant to catch fraud and security risks.
Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and… pic.twitter.com/ZiSewKYNbt
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 26, 2025
A guide to filling form DS-160
Despite the new screening rules, the DS-160 itself remains the first and most important step of any nonimmigrant visa application. Every applicant, including children, must fill out their own form.
- Documents needed to fill form DS 160
- Passport
- Travel itinerary (if you have one)
- Dates of your last five visits to the US
- International travel history for the last five years
- Résumé or CV
- Work and education history
Depending on the visa category:
- Students (F, J, M): SEVIS ID and school address from your I-20/DS-2019
- H-1B and other petition-based workers: Copy of your I-129
- Other temporary workers: Employer details and address
You will also need a recent digital photograph that meets US visa-photo rules.
What is Form DS-160?
Form DS-160 is the online application for almost all temporary US visas, tourist, student, fiancé, work visas and more. Applicants must fill this out online on the US State Department website. There’s no paper version. Once submitted, you get a confirmation page with a barcode, which you must carry to the visa interview.
Important rule: From 7 April 2025, the DS-160 barcode number must match the one you used to book your visa appointment. If not, you must reschedule.
How to fill DS-160 under the new rules
- Choose your visa application location. You’ll then get an Application ID and a security question. Write these down, they let you access your form again. The form times out after 20 minutes, so keep saving.
- Personal information: Enter basic details such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and marital status. Add your US Social Security Number or Tax ID, if you have one. Provide your current address, phone number, and email. This is also where you must list all social-media handles used in the last 5 years. You do not give passwords, only usernames.
- Given the new policy, make sure the accounts you list are public during the visa period. The form guidance says, “Enter information associated with your online presence, including platforms, applications, and websites where you share information or interact with others. Include your username, handle, or screen name. Do not include accounts used only by businesses or organisations.”
- Travel purpose: State the purpose of your trip, estimated arrival/departure dates, and where you will stay. If you don’t have fixed plans, approximate answers will do. List family or friends travelling with you. Remember, each person needs their own DS-160. Mention past visits, past visas, denials, or any immigrant petition you have filed.
- Add passport details. If your passport does not have a “passport book number,” select “Does Not Apply.”
- Mention your job, employer, qualifications, past work history, and organisations you belong to. You may also be asked about travel history and special skills.
- Security checks: You will answer 25 yes/no questions related to security, health, and background. Read them slowly and carefully.
- Upload a recent digital photo. You will still have to carry a printed passport-style photo to your interview. Confirm that everything is correct and select your interview location. Then electronically “sign” and submit the form.
- Once submitted, you cannot edit the DS-160. However, if something is wrong, you can fill a fresh one and carry the new confirmation page.