US VISA – NEW CHECK

The Trump administration has instructed all its diplomatic missions worldwide to identify certain groups that need extra scrutiny and adopt a rigorous vetting process for issuing visas. Those applying for an American visa – including tourist and business visas – would be asked to furnish details of their employment and residence for the last 15 years and all the phone numbers they used in the previous five years, a diplomatic cable issued by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said. Further, he added, “Consular officers should not hesitate to refuse any case presenting security concerns,” “All visa decisions are national security decisions,”

The cable dated March 15 says these additional protocols have been put in place to prevent the entry into the US of foreign nationals who may aid, support or commit violent, criminal or terrorist acts and ensure that those allowed to come in are rigorously vetted.
The classified cable asks all its overseas diplomatic posts to immediately draw a set of criteria for a rigorous vetting process for issuing visas to foreign nationals.

The cable instructed visa issuing officers to ask additional questions to the applicants. It would also require the applicant to share with visa officer all phone numbers, emails and social media accounts used in the last five years.