Latest news with #USDepartmentofState
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
What usernames did you use on your SM handles in the last five years? You'll need to list them all for a US visa
Disclose all social media handles from past 5 years for visa If you're planning to study or take part in an exchange program in the United States, get ready to open up your digital life. As of a newly enforced policy, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must now disclose their social media activity from the past five years. The US Department of State has expanded its vetting requirements, demanding visa applicants list every username or handle they've used on any social media platform within that timeframe. This move is part of a broader effort by the US government to enhance national security and prevent entry of individuals considered threats. A public profile is now part of the screening In an official announcement shared by the US Embassy in India and through its social media channels, authorities emphasized that applicants are not only required to list all their social media identifiers, but also must adjust their account privacy settings to 'public'. This is intended to allow consular officers to fully examine the applicant's online presence as part of their background check. The requirement applies specifically to individuals applying for F (academic students), M (vocational students), and J (exchange visitors). Consular officers will use this information—combined with personal interviews and other documents—to assess whether the applicant meets the standards for entry into the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo What must applicants disclose? The information is collected through the DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application form. As applicants fill out the form via the Consular Electronic Application Centre, they are presented with a drop-down menu listing various social media platforms. They must select each one they've used over the last five years. Once a platform is selected, the form prompts for every relevant identifier: username, handle, email address, or phone number used on that account. If multiple usernames were used, applicants must click 'Add Another' to provide all entries. Failing to include accurate and complete information is not a minor oversight—it may lead to a visa denial and even make the applicant ineligible for future US visas. Why is the US doing this? This expanded scrutiny stems from the ongoing effort by the US government to strengthen security through detailed applicant screening. A press release from the US Department of State referenced the "Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants" and emphasized that all F, M, and J visa applicants will be subjected to a comprehensive vetting process, including analysis of their online behavior. Officials reaffirmed the long-standing principle that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, echoing sentiments repeatedly emphasized by President Trump and other senior policymakers. What happens if you leave something out? According to the embassy, applicants certify the accuracy of their application when they sign the DS-160 form. Any omission—intentional or not—can result in visa rejection and future ineligibility, a risk the embassy clearly warns against. The message is unambiguous: if you've used a social platform in the last five years, the US wants to know about it—and see what you've posted. With national security as the driving concern, social media vetting is no longer just a possibility; it is now a required part of the US visa application process. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
News18
12 hours ago
- Business
- News18
O-1 Visa: New Route To US Gaining Popularity Among Indians; All You Need To Know
Last Updated: The O-1 visa, a US non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, is gaining popularity among Indian professionals in STEM, creative industries, and academia. As people from across the globe face several challenges to make it to the United States for work, the O-1 visa is gaining popularity among professionals. The O-1 visa is a specialized US non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. It is fast becoming a preferred route to the US for Indian professionals too— especially those in STEM fields, creative industries, and academia. It is being touted as H-1B visa but 'with no lottery system." Given its high success rate, the O-1 visa is now being seen as an alternative to the increasingly competitive H-1B visa. What Is O-1 Visa? The O-1 visa was introduced under the US Immigration Act of 1990 and is granted to individuals who can demonstrate exceptional talent or achievements in science, education, business, athletics (O-1A), or the arts and film. To qualify, applicants must meet at least three of eight criteria, which include awards, original contributions, published work, media coverage, and memberships in distinguished organizations. The visa is gaining traction among Indian nationals — including cybersecurity experts, AI researchers, filmmakers, athletes, and digital content creators — who are looking for a direct and merit-based pathway to work and live in the U.S. 'O-1's Like H-1B Without A Lottery' The application cost for O-1 visas could range from $10,000 to $30,000. The Economic Times, citing official data from the US Department of State, reported that the number of O-1 visas granted has increased from 8,838 in FY20 to 18,994 in fiscal 2023. ET quoting Sahil Nyati, founder at Jinee Green Card—a US-based immigration consultancy advising on specialised visa categories— reported that 'O-1's like an H-1B without a lottery." 'There's definitely higher interest in O-1, simply because it's like an H-1B without a lottery, although it's not a piece of cake," ET quoted Sahil Nyati as saying. A Growing Trend Among Indian Talent Notably, the current demand of O-1 visa by professionals has positioned India as the third highest recipient country after Great Britain and Brazil, securing 1,418 O-1 visas in FY23, up from 487 in FY20, data showed. First Published:
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Visa applicants, beware! US Embassy in India issues new warning - 'Omitting social media information could lead to...'
The United States (US) Embassy in New Delhi Thursday directed all visa applicants to stipulate details of all their social media handles from the past five years for background checks -- failure to comply could lead to visa rejection, the embassy said. This comes close on the heels of the United States' decision to require all student visa applicants to make their social media accounts public for vetting purposes. "Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used in the last five 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 submit," the embassy said in a statement on X. "Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas," it added. Citing "national security and public safety," the US had on Monday stated that all applicants for student visas must make their social media accounts public. 'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,' the US Embassy in New Delhi had said on Monday. The F-1 visa is issued to students pursuing academic studies, while the M-1 visa is for those enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs. The J-1 visa, on the other hand, is granted to individuals participating in teaching, studying, research, or on-the-job training programs, typically lasting from a few weeks to several years. Last month, the Trump administration directed all US consulates around the world to stop conducting new interviews and accepting applications for student and exchange visitor visas. At the same time, US officials accused the Biden administration of allowing poorly vetted migrants into the country and claimed the system was full of fraud. In response, they announced stricter checks, including reviewing the social media activity of people applying to move to the US. Now, US consular officers will carefully check applicants' online activity. They will look for anything considered concerning — such as posts showing hostility toward American citizens, values, culture, institutions, or the country's founding principles. This change comes as the US Department of State begins requiring social media checks before granting visas.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian F-1 visa applicants: Reveal all social media usernames from 5 years
Indian students applying for a US student visa will now face stricter screening requirements, with consular staff warning of possible denials if social media details are left out of the visa form. The US embassy in India posted on X on Thursday, '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 submit.' In the same thread, the embassy cautioned that, 'Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' Privacy settings must be public Earlier this week, on June 23, the embassy issued another notice specifically for student and exchange visa categories. 'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,' it said in a post. This advisory follows the resumption of F-1 student visa processing in India after a brief suspension earlier this month. The restart comes with more intensive background checks, including a closer look at online presence. DS-160 form must now be submitted before booking slots In another procedural change, applicants now have to complete and submit the DS-160 form before scheduling an appointment. Previously, it was possible to book an interview slot and then finish the form later. That has now been reversed. 'The recent updates to the US visa application process, particularly concerning the DS-160 form and appointment scheduling, are designed to enhance the overall efficiency and security of the system,' said Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, speaking to Business Standard. 'By requiring applicants to complete the DS-160 form prior to scheduling an appointment, the US Department of State ensures that consular officers have access to accurate and complete information ahead of interviews.' DS-160 barcode number must match appointment Applicants also need to double-check that the barcode number on the DS-160 confirmation page matches the number used to book the appointment. If there's a mismatch, they'll be turned away from the interview and must reschedule using the correct form. This correction cannot be made by consular staff. 'It's important for applicants to ensure that the DS-160 confirmation number matches the one used to schedule their appointment,' said Singh. 'If discrepancies are found, applicants will need to reschedule their appointments using the correct DS-160 barcode number, as consular sections cannot modify or update these numbers on behalf of applicants.' What's changed for Indian F-1 visa applicants • Must list all social media usernames from past 5 years on DS-160 • F, M, J visa applicants asked to keep profiles public for vetting • DS-160 must be submitted before scheduling appointment • Barcode on form must match booking or interview will be cancelled • Applicants must reschedule if details don't match; embassy can't fix it Why the changes matter • Cuts down on fake or duplicate bookings by requiring completed forms first • Allows consular officers to review full data ahead of interview • Reduces last-minute mistakes in application details • Aims to prioritise serious and eligible applicants for limited interview slots
Tokyo Weekender
3 days ago
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
New US Visa Rule Requires Applicants To Set Social Media Accounts to ‘Public'
On Monday, the United States Embassy in Japan announced via X that applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must make their social media accounts 'public.' According to the US Department of State (DOS), those who keep their social media accounts private may be deemed as trying to hide their activities. Officers have reportedly been told to reject visa applications in cases where the applicant has expressed 'hostile attitudes' toward the US, advocated for or supported 'designated foreign terrorists and other threats to US national security,' or supported an tis emitism. 'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States,' read t he post . The F, M and J visas are all student visas. F-1 is for academic studies, M-1 is for vocational or non-academic studies and J-1 is for exchange visitor programs. List of Contents: Reaction to the US Embassy Post Social Media Checks Becoming Stricter in the US Related Posts Reaction to the US Embassy Post The post by the United States Embassy in Japan has garnered more than 2 million views. Some raised concerns about their visas potentially being rejected because their social media pages are not pro-US enough. Others vented their frustration at the kind of country the US is becoming, suggesting freedom of speech is being stifled. 'What happens if I criticize Trump? Isn't that against freedom of speech? Well, thanks to your president, your country has become quite an unappealing place, so I doubt anyone would want to go there anyway,' posted one user. Not everyone was against the ruling, though, with some posting their support. 'I'm amazed at people quoting 1984 ,' wrote one X user. 'This isn't about the US targeting their own citizens. It's about verifying the identities of newcomers to protect their people. Checking whether newcomers are Trojan horses for homeland defense. To prevent large-scale civil unrest or infiltration of key national institutions, this kind of vetting is essential, isn't it? It's a normal procedure.' Social Media Checks Becoming Stricter in the US The US has been checking the social media accounts of visa applicants and immigrants since at least 2019. However, in the past few months, these checks have allegedly become a lot stricter. Speaking to USA Today in April, Susanne Heubel, senior counsel at the New York-based immigration law firm Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, said that up until January 2025, the searches had been 'almost negligible.' She added, 'I travel a lot, I have clients who travel a lot, of all sorts of nationalities and visa statuses, and nobody has ever complained about these searches until now.' Related Posts US Visa Applicants From Japan Now Require Disclosing 5 Years of Social Media History Japanese PhD Student Has Visa Revoked in the US Due to Alleged Criminal History Renewing a Japanese Visa, More Fun Every Year
