US authorities now officially require visas applicants to enter data on their accounts in social networks

The US State Department has changed the rules for obtaining US visas for foreign citizens.

Now applicants for visas should indicate information about accounts in social networks. Innovation came into force on May 31 of this year after the approval of new application forms.

“National security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications, and every prospective traveler and immigrant to the United States undergoes extensive security screening,” – department said. “We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect U.S. citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States.”

As it is noted, applicants will be required to provide account information along with other personal information. At the same time, applicants may indicate that they do not use social networks, however, if this information turns out to be unreliable, violators will face “serious immigration consequences”, warned State Department representative.

So far, only large social networks are indicated in the new forms, but in future applicants will be able to provide information about all the websites that they use.

The new measure is designed to exclude applicants for a visa that may pose a threat to US domestic security.

“Recent years have shown that social media can be a platform for terrorist activities. This will be a vital tool for screening out terrorists or individuals representing a threat to public safety and other dangerous personalities”, – the State Department noted.

The new rule applies to all types of visas, except for some diplomatic and service visas. According to the source, the new rule will affect about 710 thousand applicants for immigration visas, and up to 15 million people who apply for non-immigrant visas.

Source: https://www.apnews.com