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US Introduces New Visa Requirements for F, M, and J Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants in Malaysia and Other Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States has implemented new visa requirements for visitors applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas, including mandatory disclosure of social media handles and public access to those profiles. The new rules, effective immediately, aim to enhance national security and improve the visa vetting process. This move joins other similar measures undertaken by the US State Department to bolster security. The new requirements apply to applicants in several countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, India, Japan, and South Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Embassy in Malaysia has announced that all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa must adjust their social media account settings to public to facilitate vetting.
  • The new requirements include disclosure of usernames from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok used in the past five years, including inactive or no longer in use accounts.
  • Applicants must certify the accuracy of their social media information before submitting the DS-160 visa application form for non-immigrants.
  • The new rules apply to F, M, and J non-immigrant visa applicants, which include academic students, vocational students, exchange scholars, interns, and researchers.
  • The US State Department has taken similar measures in other countries, including Thailand, India, Japan, and South Africa.
  • The new requirements are part of the US's efforts to enhance national security and improve the visa vetting process.

Statistics:

  • 5 years: The time frame for which social media account usage must be disclosed.
  • F, M, and J: The types of non-immigrant visas that are subject to the new requirements.
  • 6 platforms: The social media platforms for which usernames must be disclosed, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok.
  • DS-160: The visa application form for non-immigrants that includes certification of social media information.

Sources:

  • US Embassy in Malaysia, Facebook account

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