Latest news with #SusanneHeubel
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US Embassy in Tokyo warns: Disclose Social media or no visa
The visa branch of the US Embassy in Tokyo posted a note regarding those applying for a non-immigrant visa (DS-160) on their X handle. The note said that applications must include accurate information regarding the Social Networking Service (SNS) accounts that they have used within the last five years, or they won't be allowed to enter the country. Also read: US visa waiver program: Who is eligible and how to apply? The U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been checking the SNS accounts – such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook – of visa applicants and immigrants since 2019. However, Susanne Heubel, who is the senior counsel at the NY-based immigration law firm Harter Screst & Emery LLP, said in a statement to the media that these searches were 'almost negligible' up until this year's January. Heubel also added in the statement, 'I travel a lot, I have clients who travel a lot, of all sorts of nationalities and visa statuses, and nobody has ever complained about these searches until now.' On the other hand, Jeffrey J. Hall, a Kanda University of International Studies lecturer said, 'The threat of having a visa denied over one's political social media posts feels much more real in 2025.' For Japanese citizens who are planning to apply for a US visa, it is essential to be thorough and accurate while disclosing any information related to their SNS accounts on the DS-160 form. The form should have information regarding all the social media platforms they've used in the last 5 years, even if the accounts have been deactivated or deleted. The U.S. embassy hasn't yet provided information on how detailed the SNS vetting process will eventually be or what types of content might raise any warnings among the officers during the review. Applicants should be aware that their online presence and digital footprint may now play a major role in the visa approval process. Also read: Visament to Launch Visa Assistance Hubs in UK and US by 2025 If you want more information regarding visa requirements, you must visit the U.S. Embassy Tokyo's official website at U.S. Visa Services
Tokyo Weekender
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
US Visa Applications from Japan Now Require Disclosing 5 Years of Social Media History
On Tuesday, the official account for the visa branch of the US Embassy in Tokyo posted an important note for those applying for a nonimmigrant visa — or DS-160 — for the States. According to the notice, applications must include accurate information regarding their SNS accounts that they have used within the last five years. Anyone who fails to comply with this request won't be allowed to enter the country. While the US Department of State (DOS) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been checking the social media accounts of visa applicants and immigrants since at least 2019, Susanne Heubel, senior counsel at New York-based immigration law firm Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, told US Today that up until his last January these searches have been 'almost negligible.' List of Contents: SNS Searches Were 'Negligible' Until Now Japanese Netizens React What Applicants Need To Know Related Posts SNS Searches Were 'Negligible' Until Now Heubel added, 'I travel a lot, I have clients who travel a lot, of all sorts of nationalities and visa statuses, and nobody has ever complained about these searches until now.' According to Jeffrey J. Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, 'The threat of having a visa denied over one's political social media posts feels much more real in 2025.' 自由の国の死亡診断書だ。 — なななし (@eyenanasi7716n) April 22, 2025 Japanese Netizens React The embassy announcement has sparked concern among Japanese citizens who regularly travel to the United States. 'It's the death certificate of the land of the free,' posted one X user. 'The United States is now pursuing policies similar to those of China's Cultural Revolution. Considering how destructive the Cultural Revolution was to China, I think that if things continue this way, the United States will decline more than we can imagine. I can only pray that this will not happen, but I am currently feeling pessimistic,' wrote another. What Applicants Need To Know For Japanese residents planning to apply for a US visa, it's essential to be thorough and accurate when disclosing social media information on the DS-160 form. This includes all platforms used within the past five years, even if accounts are currently inactive or deleted. The embassy has not provided specific details on how thorough the social media vetting process will be or what types of content might raise red flags during the review. However, applicants should be aware that their online presence may now play a more significant role in the visa approval process. For more information about visa requirements, applicants can visit the US Embassy Tokyo's official website . Related Posts Japanese PhD Student Has Visa Revoked in the US Due to Alleged Criminal History Renewing a Japanese Visa, More Fun Every Year Permanent Residency in Japan Offered to Skilled Foreigners After One Year
