Visa Applicants and State Department

u.s: But it also said is requesting a temporary go-ahead from the White House budget office so the plan can take effect for 180 days, beginning May 18, regardless of those public comments, according to CTV. The proposed requirements would apply to visa applicants identified for extra scrutiny, such as those who have travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organizations. The department, in a notice published Thursday in the Federal Register, said it was seeking public comment on the requirement. The State Department said it estimates that the rules would affect about 0.5 per cent of total U.S. visa applicants, or roughly 65,000 people. U.S. consular officials would not seek social media passwords, and would not try to breach any privacy controls on applicants' accounts, according to the department's notice. Affected applicants would have to provide their social media handles and platforms used during the previous five years, and divulge all phone numbers and email addresses used during that period. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.