DOS has issued a notice calling for comments from the public about proposed revisions to nonimmigrant visa application forms – Form DS-160 and DS-156.
The proposal from DOS includes adding several additional questions in the forms, seeking additional information, including:
- information about the social media accounts used by them in the past five year period. The form will contain a list of social media platforms and DOS may update the list by adding or removing platforms. Applicants will also be given an option to provide information about any other social media accounts that they have used in the last five years, and that is not listed in the form;
- details of telephone numbers and email addresses used in the last five years;
- whether the applicant has been deported or removed from any country;
- whether specified family members of the applicant have been involved in terrorist activities.
Forms DS-160 and DS-156 are used to collect biographical information from individuals seeking a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. While the Form DS-160 is submitted online and is used by the vast majority of nonimmigrant visa applicants, the paper version of Form DS-156 is used in limited circumstances and is required of all nonimmigrant visa applicants who do not use the online DS-160.
The proposal is open for comments from the public up to May 29, 2018. We will continue to monitor developments related to the proposed changes in the forms DS-160 and DS-156, and keep our readers informed.
If you have any questions regarding the online Form DS-160, or need any assistance in filing a nonimmigrant visa application, please Contact VisaPro immediately. Our experienced attorneys will be happy to assist you.
Dean Richards, United States
