Immigration News Briefs
Five Years of Social Media History Required
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) now requires the applicant’s last 5 years of social media information on DS160 and DS260 forms. The DS160 form is an electronic form used for U.S. nonimmigrant visa application; the DS260 form is used for immigrant visa applications. The forms collect the necessary information from the applicant including personal, address, family, travel, security, and more.
On the “Address and Phone Information” page, the new question asks, “Do you have a social media presence?” The applicant is provided with a list of social media platforms including Facebook, Flickr, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, etc.
If any of the options other than “none” are selected, a box appears for the applicant to enter their social media username. The form requires all social media names that the applicant has used for the past 5 years. Passwords are not required. DOS has stated that the social media information will be used to validate the applicant’s identity, and that they will check the information on your social media to check if the applicant is eligible for visas, if the applicant is associated with terrorist activities, or will pose a threat to the U.S. in some way.
Any misrepresentation is considered to be fraud and can result in a permanent bar from the country. Please keep in mind that even if you delete the account before applying for the visa, the question is asking for social media information in the last five years. Information on the internet can be cached in places, and deleting the account will not guarantee that all information on it will also be deleted.
Fee Changes for Students, Schools, Exchange Visitors
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has adjusted fees charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to international students, exchange visitors, and SEVP-certified schools, taking effect June 24, 2019. Here are the fee increases:
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students: increasing from $200 to $350.
• I-901 SEVIS Fee for J exchange visitors in au pair, camp counselor, and summer work or travel program categories: remain at $35. Other categories: from $180 to $220.
• SEVP school certification petition fee for initial certification: from $1,700 to $3,000.
Prospective students pay at FMJfee.com to obtain their visa.
Changes in H-1B Filing
H-1B petitions may now be filed at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC), TSC (Texas), CSC (California), or VSC (Vermont), depending upon the state where the petitioning employer’s primary office is located.
These four service centers are adjudicating petitions requesting a continuation of previously approved employment without change, a change in previously approved employment, new concurrent employment, change of employer, and H-1B amendments.
APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR July 2019
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
08Mar12 |
08Mar12 |
|
2A |
Current |
Current |
|
2B |
01Sep13 |
01Sep13 |
|
3rd |
08Mar07 |
08Mar07 |
|
4th |
22Aug04 |
15Jun06 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Jan15 |
22Apr18 |
|
2nd |
24Apr09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Jul09 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Jul09 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - July 2019
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
08Nov12 |
08Nov12 |
|
2A |
08Mar19 |
08Mar19 |
|
2B |
15Aug14 |
15Aug14 |
|
3rd |
08Sep07 |
08Sep07 |
|
4th |
22Apr05 |
15Dec06 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Oct17 |
01Sep18 |
|
2nd |
01Jun09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Apr10 |
Current |
|
Other |
|
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
