News

US Embassy Requires Nigerian Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public; Give Reasons

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 8th, 2025.

US Embassy Requires Nigerian Student Visa Applicants to Make Social Media Accounts Public; Give Reasons

The United States Mission in Nigeria has introduced a new requirement for Nigerian nationals applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas — typically issued to students and participants in exchange programs. Under the new directive, applicants must set their social media profiles to “public” to allow U.S. authorities to conduct more detailed background checks.

This policy, announced via the Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, takes effect immediately. It applies specifically to those planning to travel to the U.S. for educational or cultural exchange purposes.

“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public,’” the statement read.

The embassy explained that the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen security screenings and verify the identity and eligibility of visa applicants.

According to the U.S. Department of State, this step supports national security objectives by allowing officials to assess online activity as part of the visa adjudication process. A notice posted on June 18, 2025, stated that comprehensive online vetting will be carried out to identify any potential threats and ensure applicants meet all requirements for their visa category.

The U.S. government emphasized that each visa decision is also a matter of national security and that it is committed to ensuring that those granted entry do not pose risks to American citizens or interests.