Want US visa? Now, you may have to provide social media account details

If you are planning to apply for the US visa then you may now have to provide your social media account details! Surprised? Well, as per new rules adopted by the State Department, nearly all applicants for the US visa will have to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers. These rules have been adopted to enhance the vetting of foreign nationals and to screen out terrorists and other dangerous individuals seeking entry into America. 

A US Department of State official told Hill.TV that if a visa applicant lies about social media use, they could face "serious immigration consequences" as a result. 

This change was proposed in March 2018 and is said to affect about 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the United States each year.

Apart from social media history, visa applicants are now been asked for five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, international travel and deportation status. additionally, they are been asked that any of their family members have been involved in terrorist activities.

Applicants applying for certain diplomatic and official visa types are exempted from these requirements.

For now, the drop-down menu only includes major social media websites, but the applicants soon will be able to list all sites that they use. "This is a critical step forward in establishing enhanced vetting of foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States," the official said. "As we've seen around the world in recent years, social media can be a major forum for terrorist sentiment and activity. This will be a vital tool to screen out terrorists, public safety threats, and other dangerous individuals from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on US soil."

The social media identifiers will be incorporated into a background check review against watchlists generated by the US government.