In 2018, the Trump Administration published a regulation to increase the overall screening and vetting process. The regulation included options such as asking additional social media questions from applicants when completing US Visa Online Applications such as DS-160 and DS-260 forms.
Since then, when anyone plans to apply for a US Visa, they are mandated to fill in all their social media presence-related details in the online visa application. In this article, we will look at what are the social media-related questions asked in those DS-160 and DS-260 forms, why they are asked and what you need to answer, and also actual screenshots of the questions asked.
Before we look at the details of what will be asked, let’s look at what Dept of State/ DHS will do with your social media details.
Why give Social Media Accounts info on DS-160, 260 forms?
The US Department of State said that they would collect and use the Social Media Information of US visa applicants for “identity resolution and vetting purposes based on statutory visa eligibility standards.” Essentially, this means that they will use it to validate your identity and the information presented in the visa application to check if you are eligible for a US visa based on their requirements.
For example, you cannot get a visa if you are associated with terrorist activities or a threat to the US in some way… They will not check the social media info for diplomatic and official visa applicants. Below is the actual text from the regulation. Check Federal Register
As you fill out DS-160 or DS-160 form as part of the US Visa application, you will see additional questions under a minor section called “Social Media”, which is part of the “Address and Phone Information Page”. It has guidance text listed below on how to fill it out.
See the exact text below for guidance. In short, they are asking you to provide your Social Media presence for the last 5 years. You need to share the username that is used by you on the social media platform. You can add more than one social media account by platform.
Actual Social Media Guidance Text on DS-160 Form
“Social Media
Do you have a social media presence?
“Select from the list below each social media platform you have used within the last five years. In the space next to the platform’s name, enter the username or handle you have used on that platform. Please do not provide your passwords. If you have used more than one platform or more than one username or handle on a single platform, click the ‘Add Another’ button to list each one separately. If you have not used any of the listed social media platforms in the last five years, select ‘None.’”
The help guidance that is given for that is
“Help: Social Media
Enter information associated with your online presence, including the types of online providers/platforms, applications and websites that you use to collaborate, share information, and interact with others. List the username, handle, screen-name, or other identifiers associated with your social media profile. (You do not need to list accounts designed for use by multiple users within a business or other organization.)“
Sample Social Media Questions on DS-160 Form and DS-260 Form
Below is the exact screenshot from the Social Media Section( It appears on Address and Phone Section) of the DS-160, 260 form. As you can see in the below screenshot, you can add more platforms and remove them by clicking on the “Add” and “Remove” buttons. You can add more than one, as you can see in the screenshot below.
Social Media Platforms List on the DS-160, DS-260 forms
Below is the complete list of social media platforms that are listed on the DS-160, 260 forms. Some of them do not exist fully anymore or have merged with some other company or platform. You will see all of them in the drop-down like below. If you are not on any of the Social media platforms, you can select NONE. See below list and screenshot of the dropdown
- Ask.FM
- Douban
- Flickr
- Google+
- Myspace
- QZone(QQ)
- SINA WEIBO
- TENCENT WEIBO
- TUMBLR
- TWOO
- VINE
- VKONTAKTE(VK)
- YOUKU
- YOUTUBE
- NONE
Every social media platform has a username or handles tied to your account. Usually, it is in the settings section. You need to share that User Name / User ID or Handle.
For example, in case of Facebook, if you go to the settings section, you will find it under Account Center, see below. For Twitter, you can see the twitter handle on your profile itself. See below.
You can also read Facebook Username and User ID Info and Change your Twitter Handle or User Name for more info
For Facebook/ Meta, you must go to the Account Center and click on Profile, select profile and then click on the User Name.
If you are using legacy and old facebook, you can find it directly on the settings page as shown below.
Two Facebook Accounts: How to add on DS-160? Multiple accounts?
If you have multiple Facebook accounts or Twitter accounts and you use them for different purposes, then you should list both of your Facebook accounts user IDs and details in the DS-160 form. The online DS-160 form allows you to add two or more Facebook accounts, see the below screenshot. You need to click on “Add Another” and then fill in the same social media account again. It also applies to other social media platforms like Twitter or other platforms, you can add and should add multiple accounts, if you use them.
How to Add Additional Social Media Websites Not Listed
The DS-160 form also has a question that asks users to fill out a list of social media websites or any public websites, where they have shared content, which are not on the list given by the US Dept of state. Below is the actual question and screenshot of the same.
“Do you wish to provide information about your presence on any other websites or applications you have used within the last five years to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.)? “
For instance, you maybe using TikTok, for that there is no option on DS-160, you can use this option to add such details to be transparent.
How to answer the above question?
If you have used any other social media website, where you published any photos, updates, etc., then you need to list out those additional social media website names and the handle used on the social media website here. You do not need to include WhatsApp or Telegram messaging app details, these are mainly public websites, and groups.
The US Dept of State guidance says “Please provide the name of the platform and the associated unique social media identifier (username or handle) for each social media platform you would like to list. This does not include private messaging on person-to-person messaging services, such as WhatsApp.”
If you have used more than one such social media website, then you need to list these.
Some examples of other social media website: Dailymotion.com, Academia.edu, etc.
Forgot the old Social media ID, handles? What to add in DS 160 form?
As some of the Social Media platforms allow you to change usernames or handles, it would be hard to keep track of the entire history. What matters is the current Social Media Username or Handle you use on that platform, which can be used to track your profile and verified as needed for security. So, list the current username and handle. Please make sure, you do not change the username or handle that you listed in DS-160 until your visa interview is over and you have your US Visa approved.
Business Social Media Accounts on DS-160 or DS-260 form
You do not need to share any of the accounts related to the business or shared accounts by users that are used as part of an organization or a business. Basically, any account that you use for business e.g. you are Marketer and post on Social media on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. using your company account name, details you do not have to share as that is for an organization.
Common FAQs
Yes. You need to share all of the social media accounts that you own.
Yes, if were on any of the listed social media platforms in the above list given on the DS-160 form, then you need to add those social media account details like User Names, or handles tied to the same account.
No, you should NOT answer NONE, if you were or currently are on any of the social media platforms. If you do so, you are lying and it is considered fraud and you can be penalized for it. In fact, at the end of submission of the DS-160 or DS-260 form, you are signing the form by saying that you are stating all the facts under penalty of perjury, so if you do not state all facts, it can be a punishable offense.
Even, if you delete you need to disclose all the details of the account, that you used in the last 5 years.
You need to share your social media accounts details for the past 5 years. You are not sharing info and they discover your info, you may be tagged for not telling truth and maybe subject to visa rejection.
No, you do not need to share any passwords of your social media accounts. Only usernames and IDs that are tied to your social media accounts need to be shared.
It is primarily for security check and to identify, if you are part of any extremist groups or threat to US like being terrorist
Well, even though, you delete them today, the requirement from US state department is to disclose all social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. that you held in the last 5 years…So, technically does not make you select NONE, you still need to disclose it. If you just delete and fail to disclose it, then you are considered lying on your form and punishable as you are signing the form by saying that you are stating all the facts under penalty of perjury
Well, technically you can do that…there is no law or guidance that tells you not to delete. It is your account and your discretion…But, you need to be aware that there are so many places, where caches are stored of past and I am sure US Govt may have got a copy of it…
No need to fill a new DS-160 form, if you have already filled it out and submitted it. This is applicable only to new US visa applicants using the most updated DS-160 or DS-260 form.
What do you think of the new Social Media Questions on the DS-160 and DS-260 form ?
My facebook identifier is in Arabic letters. After I add it to the ds-160 and saved it, it gets saved as ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿.
I think that field only support English letter, What should it do?
Ali, Just enter as it takes. Try to find the equivalent if there is something in English. Mention the same to the the Visa officers.
Hi There, i had query on PURPOSE OF TRIP TO THE U.S.
Query is : My Spouse petition got approved and her DS160 filled along with my kids details DS-160. I am also H1B petitioner and the petition status “Under review”. now in this situation, can I fill DS160 with H4 as dependent/i have to fill DS160 with H1B category.?
Please share your views.
I submitted my DS 160 form last year in August and I had filled in my social media platforms I had used the last five years. However, this year I installed, LinkedIn, Twitter, Duo, IMO and I they are my active social media platforms.
Do I need to fill in the new DS 160 form to show my media platforms?
Hi Kumar
I missed adding an additional email id (used to create an account to book an appointment) in the Ds160 and already scheduled a dropbox appointment.
Should I just fill new Ds160 and carry it for the dropbox appointment?
Thanks! what can i do if i have already submitted my ds260 with my facebook and twitter profile without mentioning my linkedin and instagram profiles
Angel,
you can create a new DS260 and use that during the interview.
Hi Angel,
Did you go through the interview without mentioning linkedin and instagram profiles ? What happened ?
Hi
Is it necessary to mention whatsapp, telegram or email accounts?
Hello, what should my social media account be in public mode while or after I submit the form?
anisha,
You leave them as they look, I don’t think there is any requirement to change your settings. You just need to disclose.
My social media account is NOT up to five years, and the required social media account should be five years. What should I do
Hi Kumar,
I am in the process of filing my DS160 for F1 visa as I am starting school again.
Currently I am working on H1b visa but I did not make a trip back to India to get H1 stamp on my passport. Prior to getting my H1, I was on F1 visa for a masters program.
My question: In the DS160 form, what was the lat visa issued to you? In my case, the answer if F1 or H1? Since I do not have a stamp of H1 and only have approval notice, I believe the answer is F1.
Can you please help me clarify this? Thank you
I have created a new google account after submitting DS160 , but schedule for interview next week . what do I need to do
I have multiple gmail address (around 5) , will there be any issue if there are many email addresses ?
Venkat,
No.
Hi
I have secondary accounts in Instagram and Facebook which I rarely login and are relatively inactive. I’d created these accounts with a name/surname different with my real name/sure name, but I used emails which are based on my real name/surname for creating these secondary accounts. should I mention these accounts?
Afs,
If they are your accounts, you should mention them to be safe.
Hello, can I provide full links of my social media in DV 260? like www.facebook.com/@#$%^ instead of just an ID?
It is just an ID. Not the entire URL. As per State.gov guidelines, you only need to give the identifier and not the full URL. You can check the FAQs on DS-160 Social Media by State.gov
Hello,
DS 160 Question – I’ve submitted DS 160 for my H1b stamping around Jan 2021 in India. I have just realized that my passport is expiring in May 2021, which is less than 6 months during my stamping. I’m trying to get my passport renewed ASAP in USA. Now, can I fill a new DS 160 with my new passport number and use my original appointment for stamping (Dropbox eligible)?
Thank you.
Hi Kumar,
What i should enter for below mentioned question? as i already mentioned all the social media information, i dont have anything to say for this option 🙁
Kindly guide me on this…
Do you wish to provide information about your presence on any other websites or applications you have used within the last five years to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.)?
H1B,
Is this a separate question after the Social Media ? Can you put in a screenshot by creating thread at https://forum.redbus2us.com/
Hi Kumar,
Yes, it is a separate question in DS-160 form. i have created new thread with screenshots and link as follows https://forum.redbus2us.com/t/requesting-additional-social-media-information-ds-160-h1b-visa/80923.
H1B,
Thanks for sharing. I have answered it there.
So is it okay that we filled ds 160 without the social media?do we give them are social media at the interview how will they know? I’m really confused
Hi Kunal
I have an interview on Monday 9th and when I was filling up my DS160 I only put Instagram and not the rest as I have not been active on Facebook and on Twitter I have been using it for more than 5years and they asked only for 5 years. What should I do as I’m already late in amending my form
Hi Kunal,
What came of the process ? Did you edit and share facebook info also ? or did you go through the process without info about facebook ?
hi Kumar
what if i forgot my social media usernames
TAQI,
See, if you can call customer service and edit the form. If not, create a new one. It is important for you to fill out the information as it is mandatory.
@kumar could you please let me know what should I say for following question. The options are Yes/No.
Do you wish to provide information about your presence on any other websites or applications you have used within the last five years to create or share content?
If you have used any of the social media platforms, blogs or websites, it should be Yes. Would you mind sharing a screenshot of this question at https://forum.redbus2us.com/ for everyone benefit ?
i’ve applied on october 11th and there were no mention about other social networks
on october 12th ceac site had some maintenance
and today i’ve check ds-160 and this question appeared
Would you mind sharing a screenshot in forum.redbus2us.com so that we can check and advise ?
Maybe you could give me email or i will upload on cloud and post url. Is it ok?
Either is fine. You can email it to redbus2us@gmail.com or share the cloud URL as well. Thanks for help !
Hi Kumar,
When I was filling DS -160 Form. I only mentioned my linkedin account information not facebook as I wasn’t sure how many social media account to list on DS-160. Do you think will they reject my visa application for this reason? Please advise what should I do next.
No, they should not reject it just based on that…The better thing to do is, you should create a new DS-160 and carry it, if you cannot edit it now.
See, if you can add or edit the application by calling customer service.
While reviewing the Ds160, in the phone/email/social media section – it asks “have you used additional email addresses in last 5 years but when I was completing the form this was not there, anyways when I click edit – it does not show that question but again in review mode is asks that question. Not sure how to add additional email addresses?
Hello. What will be the social media identifier for a Google+ account? Would it be the name I used for Google?
Hi, I’m filling up my baby ds-160 form, but I’m not pretty sure what to put in the email address and social media presence fields. Yes, I do have several social media accounts, but obviously my baby don’t. I’m filling the form only for my baby, cause I’ve already got a non-immigrant Visa. What should I put in those fields: my accounts or leaving it blank?
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Just leave it blank, as it is baby, nothing would be there.
Many thanks for your fast response Mr. Kumar
in linkedin what should we provid. Also, for youtube do we need to provide UserDI or channelID.If both than do we need to provide them in seperate rows or same box with comma seperated?
You need to provide your public profile URL ID. It is usually after linkedin/in/ URL. You can even put in your public URL directly there in the section.
You can add multiple URL, yes for Youtube, it is channel ID
Thanks kumar.So, for youtube you mean multiple ID.e.g Userid,channelid in same box for 1 youtube account.and userid,channelid for 2nd youtube account in next box
Yes, you use two separate boxes and put in all of that info.
Hi
I had a Facebook accident which I deleted a while ago and do not remember the handle associated with it. What should i mention in the social media question? I checked with Facebook, there is no way to recover it as well.
Check your email archive, if you can find something. If you cannot find anything, just put in your email ID that was used for Facebook, so that you at least have some info that you mention.
Hello Kumar,
If I am engaged to a GC holder, should I mention about it in ‘Immediate relatives in US’ question? Would that contradict the temporary work visa thing?
If I dont need to mention, should I remove the status from social media etc?
You should never hide facts. Please state what is true. I recommend you state all facts and do not change anything just for visa stamping. If your profile is tagged for fraud, you will have future issues…You may delete now, but what if they have access to the a copy of all of your posts or previous history…It is better to state facts and face it rather than hiding them and having issues.
Do you even know what cache is ?
pankaj ,
I meant copy of everything like archive.org.
What to add for the YouTube account. Generally it is linked with google account. Do in need to add the gmail address linked with the google account?
Usually, if you have a YouTube channel, you would have a channel ID at the end of the channel. You can put in that ID or the full URL, if you are not sure. For example, it would look like https://www.youtube.com/channel/xyz
Hi , I added my youtube channel link. While I was rechecking the form for mistakes , i found out all the letters of channel link have been capitilized. The link only works if letters are in proper case (upper and lower case) . Should I leave it as capitilized? Same goes for linkedin account. The letters get capitilized and link is no longer workable if you copy it in any browser .
honey,
You should mention the link that would work. if the Caps do not work, then please create a new DS160 and submit the same.
Hello,
If I change my Insta handle (which is actually what is a norm for Insta), but still have only one account – would I need to provide both/all handles?
It will be almost impossible to remember what handles you have used for the same account.
Sid,
It is a valid point. You should list your current handle, which is what will be used to check your profile.
Thank you for your response, makes sense to me and am sure it will help others as well 🙂
Cheers !
Hello Sir,
I got my H1b Approval last week. I am expecting promotion in this month. I heard that there will be change in salary and Job title(In line with the current Title Analyst to Sr.Analyst) from my manager. However it will not change any of my job duties.
I read few articles that it will not require amendment if the promotion doesn’t have any material change and regular promotion is not considered as material change.
Could you please add your thoughts here?
Your help is greatly appreciated
You need to discuss with your attorney on this. The reason is, it is not just what you do, it is about occupation code and other things based on the title and how it is classified for the job. Please discuss with attorney and file an amendment as needed
What is the new social media DS 160 because I am about to fill one for my parents? Please help..
Sonali,
If your parents are having any Social Media accounts such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc, which is listed above, then you need to mention the same, when you fill DS-160 form. Read the above and guidance.
Hi i have a question, i submited my ds260 befor they add social media i want to know what should i do now , should i send an email to open my ds260 to fill out social media
No, you do not need to do anything, if you have already submitted it. It is not applicable for someone, who have already submitted the forms.
I have already submitted DS-160, and going for stamping. Do i need to submit a new DS-160 as this new social media option has come up ?
If you already submitted and ready to go for stamping, nothing to do. This is applicable for new US visa applications.