US specify 'bona fide relationship'

washington - The US Department of Foreign Affairs has explained to diplomatic posts abroad what criteria residents of six major Islamic countries need to meet if they want to visit the US. The Supreme Court ruled this week that the US may refuse visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen if they do not have a 'bona fide relationship' with, for example, family in the country.

The ministry limits 'family' to parents, life partners, children, adult (step) sons or daughters, son-in-law or daughters and (step) siblings. No close family are grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, fiancés or other extended family members.

Visitors from the six countries are also allowed if they have formal ties with a company or institution in the US. This applies to journalists, students, employees, or congress speakers with valid invitations or contracts, but not as such a connection only 'to avoid the rules. 'A hotel reservation or car rental agreement does not count, even if it is prepaid.

The new rules will enter Dutch time at 02.00 hrs.