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30th Mar 2018

Anyone Applying For An American Visa Will Now Have To Give Social Media Details

Sarah

Planning to travel to America? You miiiight want to have a little look at how you are portrayed on your social media accounts as The New York Times reports that the US State Department wants all U.S. visa applicants to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers. 

The news comes as the latest move in Trump’s administration to vet potential immigrants and visitors. It is expected that if the new rules are passed it will affect  nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for US immigrant and non-immigrant visas each year. 

There will be a 60-day period for the public to comment on the proposed requirements before the Office of Management and Budget could approve them. 

Currently, only those who have travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organisations had to submit social media details. 

It is not yet known if the ESTA visa waiver program, which the majority of Irish citizens use to visit America for holiday purposes, will fall under the new requirements. 

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