Some US Visa Applicants May Now Have To Reveal Their Social Media Details

As part of the Donald Trump administration's enhanced screening of potential immigrants and visitors, the US state department wants to review social media, email addresses and phone numbers from some foreigners seeking US visas.

The new rules would also require applicants to provide 15 years of travel and work history and the names and dates of birth of all siblings, children and current and former spouses or partners. The US state department said it wanted the additional information "in order to more rigorously evaluate applicants for terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."

The department said, while it was seeking public comment on the requirement, it is also requesting a temporary go-ahead from the White House budget office so the plan can take effect for 180 days, beginning 18 May, irrespective of those public comments.

The move targets visa applicants who have travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organisations. The state department said it estimates that the rules would affect about 0.5 per cent of total US visa applicants, or roughly 65,000 people.

Affected applicants would have to provide their social media handles and platforms used during the previous five years, and divulge all phone numbers and email addresses used during that period. US consular officials would not seek social media passwords, and would not try to breach any privacy controls on applicants’ accounts, according to the department’s notice.