Visa Issues: Nigerians Must Submit Social Media ID'S
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has announced stricter visa application requirements, mandating that applicants disclose all social media usernames and handles used in the past five years.
The directive, revealed in a post on the Mission’s official X handle on Monday, is part of the U.S. Department of State’s broader effort to strengthen national security through enhanced applicant screening.
According to the Mission, Nigerian visa applicants must provide a complete record of their social presence on the DS-160 visa application form. Any attempt to omit or withhold information, it warned, could result in visa denial or even future ineligibility.
“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form,” the Mission stated. “Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.”
The policy underscores the growing importance governments attach to online activity in vetting travelers, raising debates about privacy, digital footprints, and the extent of state surveillance in an increasingly connected world.
