US Visa: why they can check your social networks when applying

USA is one of the countries that require a visa to enter their territory, either to emigrate or for tourism. Applicants must meet some specific requirements, and one of the most recent is report social media profile.

The US government included this measure within the form DS-160 in 2019. The goal is increase security controls of visitors to the country to guarantee order in its territory.

the only ones who have exception of this requirement are those who ask for a diplomatic or official visa. But what social networks have to communicate?

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United States visa: who can check social networks?

Most visa applicants, including temporary visitors, will need to include their ID social networks together with all the personal information required in the form DS-160.

USA visa

According to the US Department of State, they must answer questions related to social networks “all applicants for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas”. Except for:

• Non-immigrant visa for diplomats: A-1, A-2
• Transit visa for air or sea passengers: C-2 y C-3
• Visa for Members of International Organizations: G-1, G-2, G3 and G-4
• Always: I’LL TAKE-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5 and NATO-6

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The four social networks that must be reported when processing the US visa

During the interview and the background analysis it is possible that the consular agents of USA check the social networks of the applicants.

That is why, in a section of the form DS-160 The interested party must inform regarding the profiles in social networks both active or deleted in the last five years and indicate if they have or had a profile mainly in:

You should not lie in that section, as in any other information of said questionnaire. In addition to social media history, applicants will be asked for: Phone number; email addresses; international travel; deportation status used and completed in the last five years and family information.

United States visa: what information should I give regarding my social networks?

Visa applicants must provide their usernames for the social media platforms they have used in the last five years. You should not give any type of history or passwords, just share the username or link to observe the social network account.

This way, consular agents will only be able to see the content visible on the social network provided. “The Department limits its collection to information relevant to the award of a visa,” they indicate from the US government.

In addition, said review is to carry out a record and no type of political, religious, sexual orientation or national opinion will be a reason for the visa to be denied.

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If I don’t use social networks, can they reject my visa application?

In case the person refuses to give this information, they can be considered a reason for being denied a visa.

In case you do not use any of these networks at presentyou will be asked for the usernames in each account used in the last five yearseven if no recent content is found in any of them.

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