New US Visa Rule: Expanded Social Media Vetting in Effect

US expands visa social media vetting

Starting October 1, the United States have expanded their social media vetting rules. Under the new rule, applicants for the I, TN, and TD visa categories will now be subject to online review.

This means that the applicants have to set their social media profiles to be public.

Before this expansion, visa categories to subject to social media vetting were limited. The major ones were the F, J, and H-visas.

The major affected category for the expansions is the I-visa, which is used by foreign media representatives. Now, reporters, correspondents, editors, and even photographers have to undergo social media vetting.

This is bound to have an impact on Indian media outlets looking to cover US news. If the government believes that a media representative’s views do not favour the country, their visa might not be approved.

The expansion of social media vetting to foreign reporters might be the beginning of a new wave of censorship. It gives the US government the power to decide what media presence it wants in the country.

It can create a situation where the US only allows those reporters who support the US government and its policies. Effectively killing any public criticism of the country.