Want US visa? Now, you may have to provide social media account details
Apart from social media history, visa applicants are now been asked for five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status. additionally, they are been asked that any of their family members have been involved in terrorist activities.
If you are planning to apply for the US visa then you may now have to provide your social media account details! Surprised? Well, as per new rules adopted by the State Department, nearly all applicants for the US visa will have to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers. These rules have been adopted to enhance the vetting of foreign nationals and to screen out terrorists and other dangerous individuals seeking entry into America.
A US Department of State official told Hill.TV that if a visa applicant lies about social media use, they could face "serious immigration consequences" as a result.
This change was proposed in March 2018 and is said to affect about 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the United States each year.
Apart from social media history, visa applicants are now been asked for five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status. additionally, they are been asked that any of their family members have been involved in terrorist activities.
Applicants applying for certain diplomatic and official visa types are exempted from these requirements.
For now, the drop-down menu only includes major social media websites, but the applicants soon will be able to list all sites that they use. "This is a critical step forward in establishing enhanced vetting of foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States," the official said. "As we've seen around the world in recent years, social media can be a major forum for terrorist sentiment and activity. This will be a vital tool to screen out terrorists, public safety threats, and other dangerous individuals from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on US soil."
The social media identifiers will be incorporated into a background check review against watchlists generated by the US government.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Retirement Planning: SIP+SWP combination; Rs 15,000 monthly SIP for 25 years and then Rs 1,52,000 monthly income for 30 years
Top Gold ETF vs Top Large Cap Mutual Fund 10-year Return Calculator: Which has given higher return on Rs 11 lakh investment; see calculations
Retirement Calculator: 40 years of age, Rs 50,000 monthly expenses; what should be retirement corpus and monthly investment
SBI 444-day FD vs Union Bank of India 333-day FD: Know maturity amount on Rs 4 lakh and Rs 8 lakh investments for general and senior citizens
EPF vs SIP vs PPF Calculator: Rs 12,000 monthly investment for 30 years; which can create highest retirement corpus
Home loan EMI vs Mutual Fund SIP Calculator: Rs 70 lakh home loan EMI for 20 years or SIP equal to EMI for 10 years; which can be easier route to buy home; know maths
07:02 PM IST