U.S. Embassy in Nigeria Begins Mandatory Social Media Checks for Visa Applicants

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new visa requirement mandating that all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas adjust the privacy settings on their social media accounts to “public.” This directive, which took effect immediately, applies to individuals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs in the U.S.

According to the statement, the move is part of broader efforts to enhance vetting procedures and ensure that applicants do not pose security threats to the United States.

We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security. Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms,” the post reads on X. 

F, M, and J visas are issued for nonimmigrant students, vocational trainees, and exchange visitors, respectively. These categories cover a wide range of individuals seeking educational and cultural exchange opportunities in the United States.

The policy is not without precedent. In May 2019, the U.S. Department of State began collecting social media identifiers from most immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants worldwide. More recently, a similar directive was issued by the U.S. Embassy in Mali, also prompting backlash over privacy concerns.

U.S. officials, however, maintain that the measure is both legal and necessary. The U.S., while earlier announcing the plan for the update in June, maintained that its visa “is a privilege, not a right.”

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