The US has further tightened the visa security process and implemented a new rule, under which those applying for visas will now have to disclose the usernames or handles of all their social media platforms for the last five years.

The US Embassy shared information in this regard on Thursday and said that if an applicant hides social media information, his visa may not only be rejected but he may also be declared ineligible for a visa in the future.

Social media accounts will have to be made public.

The embassy said on its official 'X' (earlier Twitter) account, "Visa applicants will have to disclose social media handles for the last five years in the DS-160 form. Before applying, they certify that the information given is true and complete."

On June 23, the US Embassy also asked applicants of F, M, and J categories (student and exchange visas) to keep their social media accounts 'public', so that their identity and eligibility can be checked properly.

The rule of social media identifier has been in force since 2019
The embassy also informed that since the year 2019, it has been made mandatory for applicants filling out visa forms in the US to provide their social media identity. On Thursday, the embassy also shared two digital posters with this information, which said that "every US visa decision is a matter of national security."

Strictness on illegal immigrants
This announcement comes at a time when recently the US has started strictly enforcing immigration laws in Los Angeles. In a statement on June 24, the embassy said that those who enter the US illegally will face jail and deportation action.

In a statement on June 19, the embassy also clarified that the US visa is a "privilege, not a right" and monitoring continues even after getting it. Earlier on June 16, the US embassy had warned that visa restrictions have also been imposed against those who promote illegal or mass immigration.

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