Foreign students in US must keep social media profiles public for duration of visa, says US Embassy
_vb_64.jpeg)
New Delhi: All international students seeking to study in the United States must keep their social media profiles public not just while applying for a visa but also during their entire study course, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.
“All student and exchange visitor visa applicants (F, M and J visa classes) are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of personal social media profiles to ‘public’ in order to facilitate vetting necessary to establish the applicant’s admissibility to the United States,” the newspaper quoted a US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi as saying.
The spokesperson mentioned that the vetting process goes on from the time of the application, through the adjudication of the visa and during the validity of the visa.
The U.S. Department of State had stated that, under newly established norms for handling student visa applications, the government will carry out a “comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence,” of all student and exchange visitor applicants.
Under the new norms, consular officers have been instructed to scrutinise visa applications to identify individuals who may “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” according to a report by Reuters.
An internal State Department cable, reviewed by the news agency, emphasised that the vetting process should go beyond just social media activity. Officers are asked to examine the applicant’s entire online presence using “appropriate search engines or other online resources."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
_vb_48.jpeg)
The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
_vb_17.jpeg)
