US: Government announces new visa restrictions on June 3

Event

New visa restrictions were announced for all new visa applicants to the United States on Monday, June 3, affecting all future migrants and visitors. Visa applicants will be asked to provide five years' worth of social media usernames, telephone numbers, international travel activities, deportation history, and past email addresses and phone numbers. The new policy is estimated to affect 15 million travelers per year.

Officials have cited the new requirements as crucial "to screen out terrorists, public safety threats, and other dangerous individuals from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on U.S. soil," adding that providing false information about social media activities would carry serious implications for the immigration status of visa seekers.

Advice

Individuals planning on requesting visas to the US are advised to collect this data prior to submitting applications and report factual data. Travelers are advised to contact the nearest US consulate for more information.