The US Embassy in Dhaka has announced new social media requirements for certain categories of US non-immigrant visa applicants. Under the updated guideline, affected applicants must set the privacy settings of all their social media accounts to "public."
The information was shared through a notice published on the US Embassy's official Facebook page on June 5.
According to the embassy, the requirement has been in effect since March 30. The measure is intended to improve the process of verifying applicants' identities and determining their eligibility to enter the United States.
The rule does not apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants. It is mandatory only for specific visa categories and their dependents.
The embassy said the requirement applies to applicants for S, T and U visas, as well as certain dependent visa categories, including H-4, R-2 and others linked to eligible principal visa holders.
Applicants covered by the guideline must ensure that the privacy settings of all social media profiles are set to public so that relevant information can be reviewed during visa processing.
According to the embassy, access to social media information will help officials more effectively assess applicants' identities and eligibility.
The embassy advised applicants to review official guidance carefully and follow the new requirement to avoid delays or complications in the visa application process.
