Embassies ordered to identify groups for tougher screening

[Sukie 1,464]

Article from Reuters just now:

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-visas-exclusive-idUSKBN16U12X

 

Sukie in NY

[Sukie 1,464]

The article specifically talks about having to document all the names/handles one has used on social media over the past 5 years, plus all passport numbers ever had, all telephone numbers, etc.  It also allows embassies to use religion as one of the categories.  Each embassy is to come up with the specifics of what will be vetted. Doable, but a LOT of info and documentation.

 

It is going to get harder for some countries, folks.   Hang on.

 

Sukie in NY

[Dashinka 24,649]

1 hour ago, Sukie said:

The article specifically talks about having to document all the names/handles one has used on social media over the past 5 years, plus all passport numbers ever had, all telephone numbers, etc.  It also allows embassies to use religion as one of the categories.  Each embassy is to come up with the specifics of what will be vetted. Doable, but a LOT of info and documentation.

 

It is going to get harder for some countries, folks.   Hang on.

 

Sukie in NY

Isn't it already quite hard for many people?  My now wife was turned down twice for a visitor visa due to a stereotype regarding Eastern European single middle aged women.  We finally decided to go the K1 route.  We hear stories on VJ all the time about this consulate or that consulate being almost impossible to get a visitor visa.  I am also sure that they review criteria all the time as to how they will rule on any visa application. I guess I don't see how this is any different than business as usual.

[Sukie 1,464]

12 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Isn't it already quite hard for many people?  My now wife was turned down twice for a visitor visa due to a stereotype regarding Eastern European single middle aged women.  We finally decided to go the K1 route.  We hear stories on VJ all the time about this consulate or that consulate being almost impossible to get a visitor visa.  I am also sure that they review criteria all the time as to how they will rule on any visa application. I guess I don't see how this is any different than business as usual.

Yes, it IS already hard for many people.  Here is a direct quote from one of the cables listed in the article:

 

For SAO requests based on this guidance, as for all other SAO requests, officers must ask additional questions directly related to understanding the applicant's answers on application forms, which may include subjects such as those listed below, and should provide applicant responses to the following questions in the "Additional Information Optional" field:
-- The applicant's travel history over the last 15 years;
-- The names of any siblings/children/former spouses not recorded in the DS-160/260 or NIV/IVO case notes;
-- The applicant's addresses during the last 15 years, if different from the applicant's current address;
-- Applicant's prior passport numbers;
-- Applicant's prior occupation(s) and employers (plus a brief description if applicable) looking back 15 years;
-- All phone numbers used by the applicant in the last five years;
-- All email addresses and social media handles used by the applicant in the last five years.

 

This goes way beyond what we went through.  The travel history, prior passport numbers, phone numbers, email addresses/social media handles are certainly not something that we were asked to produce.

 

I know some embassies/consulates have asked applicants to bring up their Facebook accounts, but I've never seen a list this detailed.

 

Whether it is right or wrong, it shows that it will be harder to apply and get through the process.  It will slow down tremendously.  I already think the IR-1/CR-1 process, where people have already gotten married, takes WAY too long!

 

Keep your social media clean!

 

Sukie in NY

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

Interesting... not sure I would remember my own handles on all forums I've ever visited over the last 5 years...

[TBoneTX 45,659]

People might not have retained their old passports, especially from many years ago.