U.S. Now Requires Social Media Details From Most Visa Applicants
The State Department rolls out a new rule demanding social media usernames and five years of contact history from nearly all visa applicants. The broad screening expansion affects approximately 15 million people and coincides with a decline in the U.S. as a top destination for global talent.
The U.S. State Department implements a new rule that requires nearly all visa applicants to provide their social media usernames, previous email addresses, and phone numbers. This expanded screening affects up to 15 million prospective travelers, marking a significant shift from the previous policy that only subjected about 65,000 applicants identified for extra scrutiny to this level of vetting.
Updated application forms now ask individuals to list account names used on various social media platforms over the past five years. Applicants also must disclose their five-year history of phone numbers, email addresses, international travel, deportation status, and any family involvement in terrorist activities as part of the State Department's effort to prioritize national security.
This heightened immigration hurdle arrives as global competition for highly-skilled talent reaches unprecedented levels. Data from the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development shows the U.S. loses its top ranking for attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs, with an increasing number of immigrants choosing countries like Canada, Germany, and Australia to settle and build businesses.