“I was told to make everything public”: F-1 applicant student's visa was delayed and passport retained due to her Reddit account which has no controversial content

A recent Reddit post by an Indian student has sparked a wave of concern and conversation around the role of social media scrutiny in US student visa interviews, especially when digital vetting tools appear to misinterpret public information.According to her detailed account, the interview took an unexpected turn when the consular officer flagged her Reddit profile, not for controversial content, but simply because it wasn’t listed on her DS-160 visa application form. The twist? The account was, and always had been, public. Still, she was handed a dreaded 221(g) slip for “administrative processing” and told to make all her social media accounts public, despite the fact that her Reddit handle already was.To make matters even stranger, her passport was retained. The implication? It needed to be checked, presumably for any subversive social media behavior. Cue confusion, frustration, and a flood of Reddit threads.Read more: Real-life places to see Anacondas up close — if you dare!

The tech glitch question

In her post, the student noted that her Reddit handle was anonymous and not linked to her legal name, like many Reddit accounts, but had never been private or hidden. The consular officer’s claim that the account wasn’t publicly accessible raises questions about how social media accounts are being assessed during visa vetting.

This discrepancy suggests a few possibilities: limitations in the vetting software, temporary account caching issues, or perhaps over-reliance on AI tools that can’t always accurately interpret platform-specific privacy settings.

Why that 221(g) slip packs a punch

Form 221(g) isn’t an outright visa denial. It signals that the application needs “additional administrative processing” before a final decision can be made. While that might sound manageable, for students with classes starting soon, it can throw academic plans into chaos.In this student’s case, she quickly updated her Reddit profile with identifying details and cross-posted explanations on platforms already included in her DS-160. She also submitted a support request via the US Travel Docs portal. Still, she remains anxious that her clarifications won’t reach the consulate in time, and if they don’t, the delay could stretch into months, or even lead to refusal.Read more: Dharamshala paragliding tragedy prompts ban till Sept 15: How to spot a legit operator before you fly

What this means for other Indian students

Since 2020, the US Government has required visa applicants to list their social media accounts used in the past five years on the DS-160 form.

While platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are commonly included, Reddit often flies under the radar.This incident is a cautionary tale: even platforms with anonymous or pseudonymous handles may be scrutinized. The vetting system—especially when assisted by AI—might not be capable of deciphering aliases or privacy nuances, leading to mismatches and misunderstandings.

Key takeaways for students and education consultants

List all active accounts, even if they’re not explicitly requested on the DS-160.

Reddit included.Stick to consistent usernames across platforms. If using aliases, add context where possible.Verify and document your privacy settings with screenshots before your visa interview.Submit supporting documents proactively through the US Travel Docs portal. Include URLs, date-stamped screenshots, and written explanations.Understand the role of AI tools in the vetting process—they may misread or misclassify accounts.Digital identityStudent visa processing is increasingly data-driven. Between March and May 2025, F-1 visa issuances to Indian students reportedly hit their lowest levels since the pandemic, a trend that reflects both rising scrutiny and bureaucratic bottlenecks.What’s clear is this: your digital identity now plays a critical role in the immigration process. It’s not just about what you post—but how algorithms interpret your online presence.

And when machines misread, it’s up to human reviewers—and your documentation—to set the record straight.Until then, students applying for US visas must treat every social media handle as a potential point of scrutiny—and prepare accordingly. Because in today’s visa world, even a harmless Reddit account can put your academic dreams on hold.