Panama Forum

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5096

4 years ago

Social Networking and Visa Applications to the USA

4 years ago

Officially, as of the end of May 2019, all visa applicants to the United States from Panama and any other country in the world, must inform the United States of their user name on various social networks when filling out the online form.

The measure of review of social networks and emails is not new, since it first emerged in March 2017 and was applied in October of that year to nearly 65,000 applicants, who were selected for additional scrutiny.

However, this year, the US State Department extended the national security measure to all immigrant applicants as non immigrant, although they exempt certain applicants for diplomatic and official visas.

With the entry in force of this rule, the US State Department estimates that per year it will affect 710,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 million applicants for non immigrant visas, including those traveling for business or education.

The standard also includes that the applicant must provide their telephone number, as well as information about their international travel and any deportation during the last five years, as well as if their family members have been involved in terrorist activities.

The Star of Panama consulted the US Embassy in Panama and was told that the measure applies worldwide and is not exclusive to a specific country like Panama or other countries. Now, the applicant -even for renewal- must declare their user names of their social networks for the last five years, but not the password.

By filling out the online form, the applicant will view the list of social networking platforms. You must fill in the box of the social networks that you have kept active in the last five years or give additional information if you use a platform that does not appear in the list.

Other media have reported that the US Department of State maintains a list of more than 20 social networks, among which are ASKfm, Douban, Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, MySpace, Pinterest, QZone, Reddit, Sina Weibo, Tencent Weibo, Tumblr, Twitter, Twoo, Vine, Vkontakte, YouKu and YouTube.

The list may grow in the future, in response to the popularity of new social networking platforms.

http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/eeuu-exige-panama-mundo-usuario-redes-sociales-para-solicitar-visa/24124073

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