Costa Ricans who, since October 12, looking to obtain a tourist visa to travel to the United States, must answer two new questions, part of the changes made to the questionnaire, which now also includes indicating the applicants’ social networks.
The new questions to answer are:
1. Have you used other phone numbers in the last five years?
2. Have you used any other email address in the last five years?
If yes, applicants must state the phone numbers and email addresses.
The United States Embassy in San José, upon consultation of the Q, confirmed that the U.S. State Department updated the immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms.
“National security is our number one priority when visa applications are awarded and every potential traveler and immigrant to the United States undergoes an extensive security review. We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve these review processes to protect US citizens, while supporting legitimate trips to the United States,” said the embassy.
The application form already included the request for contact information, travel history, family member information and addresses of all visa applicants.
“The collection of this additional information from visa applicants will strengthen our process to examine these applicants and verify their identities,” added the Embassy.
Remember that it is best to respond with the truth because if consular officials discover any falsehood, they are very likely to reject your visa application.
According to the embassy, more than 90% of Costa Ricans who apply for a tourist visa to the United States obtain it.
Also, the embassy, on its website, urges Costa Rican not wait until the last minute to apply for a tourist visa! “The holidays are a popular time to travel to the United States. For this reason, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica recommends that you complete the visa application process well in advance of your anticipated travel date,” states the website.
