Bank Holiday: Will banks be closed tomorrow, Saturday, March 28th? Most working people go to the bank on Saturdays to get their work done. If you’re planning to go to the bank tomorrow, find out whether the banks will be open.
Add informalnewz.com as a Preferred Source
There’s some big news for those planning to travel to the United States. The US government is expanding the scope of social media and online information scrutiny for several more visa categories, effective March 30, 2026. This decision was made with national security in mind to ensure thorough vetting of visitors to the United States. This new rule will apply to all relevant immigrants applying to US embassies.
Which visa categories will be affected by this new rule?
This new change has added several new visa categories to the scrutiny. For Indian applicants, this could impact those traveling to the US for marriage or religious ceremonies. This rule already applies to student visas and work visas. Some of the key categories included in the new list are:
Visas for fiancés and spouses (K-1, K-3)
Religious workers and their families (R-1, R-2)
Participants in cultural exchange programs (Q)
Domestic workers and special trainees (A-3, C-3, H-3)
Visas for victims of human trafficking and crime (T, U)
What do applicants need to keep in mind now?
According to the new rules, applicants must now set their social media profile settings to public or open. This will allow embassy officials to view your public information during their application review. The US State Department has clarified that visas are a convenience and that every application is decided based on security measures.
| Important changes | Description |
|---|---|
| privacy settings | Social media profiles must be kept public |
| Application Form | It is mandatory to provide social media ID in DS-160 and DS-260 |
| Investigation time | Visa processing may be delayed due to background checks |
| Safety Standards | Visa may be rejected if you are involved in suspicious activities |
What will be its impact on the common man and immigrants?
Immigration experts believe that this change will not significantly impact Indians traveling for work or study, as these rules already apply to them. However, those associated with religious organizations and those married to American citizens will now have to be more careful about their online activities. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has indicated that any anti-social or negative activities will be taken seriously during the application process. This could lead to more questions during the interview and increased paperwork.
