The State Department explained how social network data will affect US visa issuance.
The consulates will study the pages on the social networks of applicants for a US visa.
From now on, applicants for American visas will be checked more thoroughly. In particular, consulates will examine their pages on social networks. New rules were first proposed in 2018, but visa applications on consulate websites have only now been updated. "Voice of America”explains how the new rules work and what exactly will be checked.
What is new to specify?
Your contacts on social networks, previous phone numbers, all email addresses and foreign trips over the past five years. Previously, such information was asked from people subject to additional screening - in particular those who had traveled to countries with high levels of terrorism.
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“We already ask for contact information, travel history, family members and previous residential addresses of all visa applicants. Collecting additional information will strengthen the verification and process of confirming the identity of applicants,” the State Department said.
What social platforms will be tested?
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Flickr, Google+, Reddit and Tumblr. In addition, you must indicate your activity on social networks popular outside the United States, such as VK or Odnoklassniki.
Answering new questions will be necessary for most applicants for a US visa. This applies to people who apply for tourist, student, work or immigration visas. Diplomats and members of official delegations will not be affected by the new changes.
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If a person does not have profiles in social networks, he will be able to choose such an answer option in the questionnaire.
“Applicants who have never used social media will not be denied a visa because they have not provided their information,” the State Department assured.
However, if you provide inaccurate or false answers, you may be denied a visa. Therefore, in the questionnaire, you must specify the data from any social networks from the list, if you have used it in the past five years. Even if you do not use them anymore.
- Earlier it was reported that the winners of the green card lottery will have to show visa officers their social networks. From June 1, applicants who fill out the DS-260 form will need to provide access to the social networks that they have used in the last 5 years prior to the application.
- This is not about logins and passwords, immigration agents are asked to provide them with links to their accounts or username.
- Also, most applicants for a US visa will have to show visa officers their social networks. The new rules entered into force on May 31.
- The new rules will affect about 14,7 million people per year.
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