The United States has introduced two additional questions in its visa application process that could significantly impact approval rates for potential immigrants seeking a temporary visa. The Guardian reported that this is an attempt by the US State Department to tighten approval amid rising concerns over immigration misuse and asylum claims.
The Guardian reported that staff at all US embassies and consulates throughout the world have been asked to modify their procedures.
The embassies have now been directed to ask two new questions to the US visa seekers. They require applicants to confirm that they do not fear mistreatment if they return home before the interview can proceed.
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What are the new US visa interview questions?
According to The Guardian, the two new questions added to visa interviews and documentation include:
1. Whether the applicant plans to apply for asylum after entering the US?
2. Whether the applicant fears harm or mistreatment in returning to their country of nationality or permanent residence?
The likelihood that they will be rejected will increase dramatically if they say “yes” or choose not to answer either question.
An applicant may be punished for lying to a federal officer if they consciously answered “no” to the two questions but did not intend it and are found to be false.
Who is impacted by the change?
Applicants for nonimmigrant visas who are being screened in a U.S. embassy or consulate in their native country are subject to the new directive.
Visitors who are not eligible for an ESTA, college students, temporary farm workers, business leaders, and H-1B workers are examples of nonimmigrant visa categories who will be subject to the question during their interview.
The requirement to demonstrate “non-immigrant intent” can be directly contradicted by declaring such intent on a non-immigrant visa application (such as B1/B2 tourist visas or student visas), even though requesting refuge is lawful under US law.
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Why are the questions being introduced?
According to the directive, the new procedure is intended to reduce the number of individuals who, according to the department, misrepresent themselves while applying for a visa.
The Guardian reported the contents of the directive that read, “The high number of aliens claiming asylum in the United States indicates that many aliens misrepresent this intention to consular officers in the visa application process and at US ports of entry.”
The directive further detailed that the “information collected from visa applicants under current guidance is inadequate to identify those applicants who fear harm or mistreatment in returning to their home country.”
Last week, a ruling declared that the existing prohibition on accepting asylum requests applied for from the US will be considered unlawful.