THE US government has
approved plans to ask
US visa applicants for
details of their social media
use backdating five years.
Authorities can request email
addresses, phone numbers
and 15 years of biographical
information via a new
questionnaire, Form DS-5535.
The rule applies to
“immigrant and nonimmigrant
visa applicants
who have been determined to
warrant additional scrutiny in
connection with terrorism or
other national security-related
visa ineligibilities,” the State
Department said. Only about
0.5% of visa applicants are
expected to be affected by
the rule.
The new restrictions could
impact travel from SA, says
Theresa Szejwallo, md of
The Travel Corporation.
“Any additional visa
restrictions will always have
a discouraging effect on
prospective travellers. When
the UK introduced visas for
SA travellers a few years ago,
we saw a massive drop in
numbers to the UK.”
She adds that the US is not
a hugely popular destination
for SA travellers currently as
the distance is a deterrent.
Megan D’Arcy, product
manager USA of kulula
holidays, says she doesn’t
foresee an immediate drop
in leisure travel to the States
as the additional information
appears to only be required
for people who do not pass
the initial vetting process.
“Should a stage be reached
where these (and other
possible new requirements)
become compulsory for
all applicants, we could
see travellers favouring
destinations which have
a simpler visa application
process,” she adds.
Other industry players
say some travellers will
welcome the added
security. “Whilst perhaps
controversial, every country
has a right to protect its
borders. This policy should
do exactly as intended and
make it more difficult to enter
the US for those that have
questionable track records,”
says Jonathan Gerber,
director of TAG Travel.
Vicky Steinhard, product
manager of Pentravel, agrees
and says: “These checks
should make it safer for
tourists travelling to the US.
I feel the impending laptop
ban may affect travel choice
more heavily, both the leisure
and corporate markets.”
US tightens visa requirements
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