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  1. #1
    R.I.P.

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    For those who think getting a Thai visa is difficult.

    US Visa Applicants Now Have To Provide Social Media Handles On Application

    Foreigners looking to enter the United States will now be required to disclose their social media handles from the last five years, and email addresses and phone numbers used in the last 15 years when applying for a visa.


    The questionnaire for visa applications officially went into effect after being approved last month by the Office of Management and Budget and marks the latest push to tighten security at the borders by the Trump administration.
    The information requested in the questionnaire is “required to confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting," a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said. The social media checks will apply to those "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."

    In a federal filing, OMB estimated that 65,000 people will undergo the social media screen process each year.


    The policy demands social media profiles and email addresses. Consular officials also will be able to demand an applicant hand over additional information, including phone numbers and 15 years of biographical information including addresses, employment history and previous travels.


    The officers will not request passwords to log in to the social media accounts despite earlier considerations by the administration to require such disclosures from those hoping to enter the country.




    The application form notes that providing the requested information is voluntary and won’t automatically keep the applicant from being granted a visa, but also warns failure to provide the information may “delay or prevent” the traveler’s approval.


    U.S. officials already request travelers disclose social media profiles when they arrive at the border and are questioned by Customs and Border Protection agents, but the questionnaire marks an expansion of interest in the digital footprint of visitors to the U.S.


    Earlier this year, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told a House committee U.S. visitors could be asked to surrender passwords for their social media accounts for examination by law enforcement.


    Reports also have indicated the Trump administration is considering the possibility of requiring people traveling to the U.S. to provide cell phone contacts, bank records, social media passwords and other personal information.


    Data released in April by CBP in April showed the number of phone and laptop searches conducted at the U.S. border rose by 80 percent — from 8,383 in October 2015 to March 2016 to 14,993 in October 2016 to March 2017, the first six months of the agency’s fiscal year.


    While the CBP holds the searches affected just 0.008 percent of the nearly 190 million travelers who arrived in the U.S. during that time frame, a bipartisan group of legislators have taken aim at the practice and introduced a bill that would require law enforcement agencies obtain a warrant before searching electronic devices of U.S. residents re-entering the country.


    US Visa Applicants Now Have To Provide Social Media Handles On Application

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
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    The headline is a bit misleading. By going to the link you see this.

    The information requested in the questionnaire is “required to confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting," a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said. The social media checks will apply to those "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."

    In a federal filing, OMB estimated that 65,000 people will undergo the social media screen process each year.


    Still seems kind of silly. The day it went into effect my wife went for her appointment at the US embassy here and picked up her renewed 10 year visa no problem... Long lines though. 9:30 appointment, she got in at 10 and was out at 11:15. Totally different from the beginning on getting this one though. Huge form to fill out online and submit

    with payment before you can get the interview. Still was easy other than the crowds.

  3. #3
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    The social media checks will apply to those "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."
    I guess Guccifer 2.0 is fucked then...

    https://guccifer2.wordpress.com/

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    wasabi's Avatar
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    I take it that this doesn't apply to tourist visa.

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