Your future trip to the USA is set for an unexpected turn, as travel rules are about to get more detailed. The government is planning to tighten rules for foreign visitors. Under this new rule, travellers from visa-waiver countries would need to provide details of their social media activity for the past five years before entering the USA. Scroll down to know more!
Sharing Social Media History To Enter The USA
The USA is stepping up digital checks for visitors. As part of this move, travellers from about 40 countries under the visa waiver program will now need to share their social media history. The USA Embassy, in a statement, said that, “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 form. Applicants must confirm that all information in their visa application is true and correct before they submit it.”
According to India Today, these visitors can normally stay in the USA for up to 90 days after getting pre-approved through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The program includes most European nations, along with countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Qatar, Israel, and Chile.
USA Customs and Border Protection will also ask for more details. This includes emails and phone numbers used in the past five years. Visitors will also have to submit the names and addresses of family members. The US Embassy also warned that failing to provide accurate details could lead to a visa rejection or even make applicants ineligible for future visas. The USA State Department is now also checking the online presence of H-1B visa applicants and their family members. Because of this, H-1B interviews in India have been postponed until March. These steps aim to boost security and keep the visa process reliable.
Also Read: USA: Woman Pepper-Sprays Indian Family &; Others In San Antonio; Complaint Filed
How This New Rule Will Impact Sports Fans
These new rules could also affect international sports fans. The USA will host FIFA World Cup matches next year and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Visitors from visa-waiver countries, like the UK, may need to follow the social media and information-sharing requirements to attend these events, reported India Today.
This policy is part of the broader immigration measures introduced under President Donald Trump. It aims at tightening border security, enforcing stricter rules, and ensuring the integrity of the visa process. The public has 60 days to share their comments on the proposed rule. Officials say these changes are meant to boost security and make the visa process safer and more reliable for everyone.
When are you planning to go to the USA? Don’t forget to check the new rules!
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