In an effort to bolster national security, the United States has continued its policy requiring Nigerian visa applicants to provide all social media handles they’ve used over the past five years. This directive, which applies to the DS-160 form for non-immigrant visas, was first introduced in 2019 and remains a key part of the U.S. government’s strategy to vet applicants.
The policy which was made public on Monday, August 18, empowers consular officers to scrutinize an individual’s digital footprint on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to verify their identity and assess any potential security risks. Failing to disclose accurate social media information can lead to visa denial and may impact an applicant’s ability to secure future visas.
This measure is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where social media usage is widespread. It’s part of a broader set of changes in U.S. visa policy for Nigerians, which has also included a shift towards issuing single-entry visas valid for only three months for most non-diplomatic applicants.
These changes reflect a general trend toward tighter immigration controls.