Data Protection

[Linda Gibson 0]

Does anyone know if Data provided on K-1 Visa Application is shared with other Government Departments?

Edited March 27, 2022 by Linda Gibson

[EatBulaga 316]

41 minutes ago, Linda Gibson said:

Does anyone know if Data provided on K-1 Visa Application is shared with other Government Departments?

This is my understanding from my K1 application experience, and keep in mind that I may be wrong.

But the short answer is yes.

 

However the long answer is that each embassy/consulate has their own specific process and forms such that what is collected and shared may be different from other locations.

Keep in mind that the online system processing for the K1 visa application is in the midst of evolving, which is why it seems convoluted (3 stages, 3 or more forms, 2 individual inputs, many site redirects, etc.).

 

What we are going thru this year may look very different next year or the near future because technology will change and hopefully improve for the better. And my guess is that each consulate is responsible for how they are adopting the online systems. So in other words, there doesn't seem to be currently a standard common "terms of use" or "privacy policy" as I understand it.

 

So when you are filling out the DS-160 or UStravelDocs for your consulate, read their terms and privacy policy. It could be very different for each location.

 

Here is an example from the Taiwan UStravelDocs privacy policy

https://www.ustraveldocs.com/tw/tw-ftr-privacy.asp

And when you "Sign and Submit" the DS-160, there is also a long read about the data policy, and I expect the Taiwan DS-160 to be different from other locations DS-160.

 

I think a general rule may be that "the more simple the process, more easily the data is shared", and "the more complex the process, less easily the data is shared". The extreme case for simplicity of technology can be observed like in China where most everything can be done with one or two apps, but at the same time, the users data are shared and controlled by the government. So right now, with the convoluted K1 application, consider it more date private. But if the Homeland Security ever integrates the different systems (USCIS, TSA, etc.) there has to be more data shared.

 

I'd be interested to hear others' experience with this as well. Good luck to all.

Edited March 27, 2022 by EatBulaga

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

47 minutes ago, Linda Gibson said:

Does anyone know if Data provided on K-1 Visa Application is shared with other Government Departments?

Of course, it is.....

[powerpuff 6,733]

If privacy is a big concern, any immigration process is not for you