By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced new visa requirements mandating applicants to disclose all social media usernames and handles used within the past five years.
The directive, communicated on Monday via the Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, is part of Washington’s broader efforts to enhance national security through stricter vetting procedures.
According to the Mission, Nigerians seeking U.S. visas must now provide a complete list of their social media profiles when completing the DS-160 application form. Failure to comply, it warned, could lead to immediate visa denial and even future ineligibility for entry into the United States.
“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used in the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form,” the statement read. It further stressed that applicants must certify the accuracy of all information before signing and submitting their applications.
The U.S. Mission cautioned that any omission or falsification of information would be treated as a serious violation with long-term implications. This includes possible denial of current visa requests and jeopardising future applications.
The policy reflects the U.S. Department of State’s commitment to leveraging digital footprints as part of its vetting process. Similar measures have been adopted globally as governments increasingly use online activity to strengthen background checks on prospective entrants.
Observers say the new requirement will impact thousands of Nigerians applying annually for various categories of U.S. visas, ranging from student and work permits to tourism and family reunification. While the measure is expected to add a new layer of scrutiny, it also raises concerns about privacy and the interpretation of online activity in the visa evaluation process.
The move aligns with security protocols first introduced under the Trump administration, which expanded data collection from visa applicants worldwide. Although the Biden administration has eased some immigration restrictions, the requirement for social media disclosure has remained in place as a critical security tool.
Analysts believe the directive will particularly affect younger applicants, who are typically active on multiple platforms. They note that providing five years’ worth of online history may prove challenging for many, especially those who have changed usernames or deleted accounts over time.
The U.S. Mission reiterated that strict compliance would help ensure transparency and smooth processing of visa applications.
