US Embassy in Dhaka Requests Social Media Accounts Be Set to Public for Visa Vetting

Strategic Insights -

The US Embassy in Dhaka has requested that Bangladeshi applicants for student and exchange programme visas adjust their social media account privacy settings to 'public' to facilitate the visa vetting process. The guidance follows a recent announcement by the US Department of State confirming the resumption of student visa appointment scheduling. The embassy's request has sparked criticism and concerns over privacy and digital rights, with some viewing it as an overreach and digital surveillance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Embassy in Dhaka has requested that Bangladeshi applicants for student and exchange programme visas adjust their social media account privacy settings to 'public' to support the visa vetting process.
  • The guidance follows a recent announcement by the US Department of State confirming the resumption of student visa appointment scheduling, which had been suspended since late May.
  • Visa applicants in the F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) categories are advised to monitor updates from the embassy and ensure compliance with the stated guidelines as the application process resumes.
  • The heightened vetting measures aim to detect any signs of 'hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States,' as stated by the State Department.
  • The embassy's request has sparked criticism and concerns over privacy and digital rights, with some viewing it as an overreach and digital surveillance.
  • The F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applicants are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate the vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.

Statistics:

  • The F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applicants are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate the vetting necessary to establish their identity.
  • The US Department of State confirmed the resumption of student visa appointment scheduling on 18 June, after appointments had been suspended since late May.
  • The heightened vetting measures aim to detect any signs of 'hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States,' as stated by the State Department.

Sources:

  • A Facebook post published by the US Embassy in Dhaka on 26 June, requesting Bangladeshi applicants to adjust their social media account privacy settings to 'public' for visa vetting.
  • A recent announcement by the US Department of State on 18 June, confirming the resumption of student visa appointment scheduling.
  • The State Department's guidance on enhanced screening procedures for international applicants.