This isn’t parody. The US State Department is now requiring that pretty much everyone applying for US visas needs to now also tell US border force their social media usernames, including those for the photo-sharing service Flickr. Yes – you read that right
The change has now taken effect after first appearing in new proposed rules – the change has now taken effect after first appearing in new proposed rules back in March of 2018. It’s part of a “vast expansion of the Trump administration’s enhanced screening of potential immigrants and visitors, AP reports.
An estimated 15 million people who apply for USA visas each year will be affected by the change. Only certain diplomatic and official visas will be exempt from the new social media requirement, so there’s a good chance you won’t be!
You’ll find the new demand for “social media identifiers” on the revised visa application forms just released by the department.
So what does this mean for you? If you are applying for a US visa, make sure to add some “MAGA hat” photos to your timeline real quick!!