QCOSTARICA — Obtaining a visa to enter the United States has involved an increasingly demanding and detailed process. Along with conventional procedures and interviews with consular staff, social networks have emerged as an additional factor in the evaluation of applicants.
This change in procedure has sparked interest and concern among those seeking to obtain this privilege, as well as experts in immigration policy and civil rights.
The decision to consider social media activity as part of the visa application process for the United States was implemented in 2019, with the aim of strengthening national security and evaluating the moral suitability of applicants.
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The U.S. State Department has stated that national security is its top priority when allocating visas, and that every potential tourist and immigrant is subject to rigorous security screening.
Social media sites that may be subject to review by consular authorities include popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit and Tumblr. It is important to note that these accounts must be active and have activity in the last five years. If you do not have active profiles, usernames can be requested to confirm the existence and activity in the account.
Among the aspects that could negatively impact the consular evaluation are:
- Publications related to employment in the United States with a tourist visa: Photographs or messages that denote work activity in the United States while you are a tourist may be a cause of concern for consular authorities.
- Relationship with family members illegally residing in the country: Images or mentions of family members who reside illegally in the United States could influence the consular officer’s decision.
- Inappropriate or irregular content: Posts that show inappropriate, illegal or irregular behavior may be considered a negative factor in the evaluation.
- Messages of hate or contempt towards the country of origin: Publications that denote feelings of hostility towards the United States or towards the applicant’s country of origin may affect the visa evaluation.
- Images or videos with illegal or controversial content: The presence of weapons, illegal drugs, activities related to prostitution or other illegal behavior on social networks can harm the visa application.
It is essential to understand that each case is unique and that the final decision on granting the visa rests with the consular officer, who will consider multiple factors, including reviewing social media, to determine the applicant’s suitability.
In Costa Rica, the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.
Immigrant visas to the United States are processed for citizens and residents of Costa Rica at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose. To prevent unnecessary delays, you must electronically upload all civil and financial documents requested by the Embassy before coming to your interview. To do this, please visit the following page and follow the instructions: https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx
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