The United States government has announced that Nigerians applying for visas will be required to provide details of all social media usernames they have used in the past five years.

 

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria disclosed this in a statement on its official X account on Monday, warning that failure to comply could lead to visa denial.

 

According to the mission, both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants must list their usernames or handles from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and others, when filling out the DS-160 visa application form. Passwords are not required.

 

The new measure, introduced under the administration of former President Donald Trump, is part of the Department of State’s enhanced vetting process aimed at strengthening national security by enabling consular officers to review applicants’ online presence during background checks.

 

Applicants must also certify that the information they provide is accurate. Incomplete or false disclosures, the mission warned, could result in visa denial, processing delays, or even future ineligibility.

 

While the U.S. government defends the policy as necessary to confirm applicants’ identities and bolster security screening, critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that it infringes on privacy and may discourage free expression.

 

Despite the criticisms, the rule remains in force, and applicants are strongly advised to fully disclose their social media history to avoid jeopardizing their visa chances.