New US visa requires applicants for social media handles from the last 5 years

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by Svip on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:28AM (#14476082)

Yes. It's part of ESTA. I did not fill my social media accounts in - because I don't have any - when made an application, and to my surprise it was approved. Still a question of whether I get to enter the US next week, though.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by ubernostrum on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:46AM (#14476150)

It's part of ESTA.

Travelers from many countries require a visa to visit the United States for any purpose.

Travelers from 38 countries can visit the United States for a variety of purposes (including tourism and business) without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program.

ESTA -- Electronic System for Travel Authorization -- is part of the Visa Waiver Program, and is an online form to help determine eligibility for visa-free travel. Using ESTA to determine eligibility in advance is required for arrival by air or sea.

The linked article is concerned with visa applications. Travelers using ESTA/Visa Waiver Program are not applying for visas. So what is described in the linked article is not something that applies to ESTA, and ESTA questionnaires are not what are being described here. While ESTA may use similar questions, this is not the same as a visa application.

Also, if you click through to the actual linked article or its Reuters source, you'll find that the HN headline is incredibly misleading. The headline implies that all visa applicants will be required to provide this information, but the articles say the information is voluntary and describe it by saying "consular officials can" request the information at their discretion.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by scoot on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:39AM (#14476121)

It's currently optional. I've no idea why anyone would voluntarily hand over that information

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Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by avaer on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:49AM (#14476155)

When you're presenting yourself to garner the favor of an agent, there is no such thing as optional.

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Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by chinathrow on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:29AM (#14476090)

You do have a HN account though.

What's listed within ESTA at the moment?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by Svip on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:31AM (#14476096)

HN is not one of the sites listed. Although, you could select 'other', but I did not consider HN social media. Maybe my definition of 'social media' is a lot narrower than the US government's. I mean, does being a member of a classic bulletin board count?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by l33tbro on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:37AM (#14476119)

Which social media are listed outside of FB, Twitter, and IG? Can't seem to find this. The article mentions it includes email. Is this included?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by kl_r on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:36AM (#14476114)

I renewed my ESTA back in February, then they had a section with social media accounts but it explicitly said that filling that section out was voluntary.

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Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by wayn3 on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:31AM (#14476097)

when I did esta 2 weeks ago social media hadnt been mentioned

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Re:New US visa requires applicants for social media handles ... by Havoc on Saturday June 03, 2017 @08:41AM (#14476132)

No its there. Filled it in 3-4 weeks ago and there was already a field for it back then. Was marked as optional though

[ Parent | on HN ]