The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a new advisory to Nigerians seeking visas, warning that applicants who fail to disclose social media accounts they have used in the last five years risk visa denial and possible ineligibility for future applications.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the US Mission reminded applicants of the mandatory requirement to provide details of their social media activity when filling out the DS-160 non-immigrant visa application form. The embassy emphasized that honesty, accuracy, and completeness are crucial, particularly in the section requiring social media usernames or handles.
“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 advisory read.
It further cautioned applicants about the consequences of false declarations or omissions. “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 Mission stated.
The announcement was accompanied by the hashtags #VisaWiseTravelSmart and #USVisa, underscoring the embassy’s ongoing campaign to educate Nigerian applicants on the importance of full disclosure and compliance with US immigration procedures.
Background to the Requirement
The requirement for visa applicants to provide their social media handles is not new. In 2019, the United States government under then-President Donald Trump expanded vetting measures to include mandatory disclosure of social media activity for nearly all applicants for US visas, including tourists, students, and immigrants.
At the time, the State Department explained that the rule was designed to enhance national security and improve screening processes by enabling consular officers to better understand applicants’ backgrounds. By checking social media handles, US authorities said they could more effectively identify potential security risks, fraudulent identities, or misrepresentations in visa applications.
Previously, only applicants flagged for additional screening such as those who had traveled to or lived in regions associated with terrorist activity were required to share their social media details. The 2019 change expanded the rule to almost everyone applying for a US visa, including Nigerians.
This means applicants must disclose usernames or handles used on popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok, among others. The requirement does not demand passwords, but applicants are expected to list all accounts they have used within the last five years.
Why the Embassy is Reiterating the Advisory in Nigeria
Nigeria remains one of the largest sources of US visa applications in Africa. Thousands of Nigerians apply each year for student, tourist, work, and immigrant visas. With such high volumes, incomplete or inaccurate applications are common, often leading to delays, denials, or outright bans.
The embassy’s renewed emphasis on the disclosure of social media accounts suggests that many Nigerian applicants either neglect this section of the DS-160 form or deliberately leave it blank, perhaps believing it to be optional. By restating the rule, the US Mission hopes to reduce errors and ensure applicants are not unintentionally disqualified.
There have been documented cases of Nigerians being refused visas for failing to provide requested information, including social media handles. Consular officers are required by law to deny applications if applicants are found to have provided false or incomplete details. For many, a single omission could complicate not just the current application but also future attempts to secure entry into the United States.
Implications for Nigerian Applicants
The embassy’s advisory carries several important implications:
Nigerian applicants must understand that there is no room for half-truths or selective disclosure in US visa applications. Even if an applicant believes a particular social media account is “inactive,” “personal,” or “irrelevant,” it must still be declared if it was used within the last five years.
The US immigration system tracks applications across time. An applicant who omits social media information today and is denied may find their future applications scrutinized more closely. In some cases, omissions could be interpreted as intentional misrepresentation, leading to longer bans.
Social media accounts can reveal inconsistencies in applicants’ stated information. For example, an applicant claiming to be a student might list themselves on LinkedIn as employed full-time in another country. A tourist visa applicant may post about long-term plans to live in the United States, contradicting their declared intent to return home.
The US government also checks for possible red flags in applicants’ posts, such as hate speech, extremist sympathies, or fraudulent claims. While routine or harmless posts are not a problem, controversial or inconsistent activity could raise concerns.
To avoid falling into common traps, applicants are encouraged to take the following steps:
Review Your Social Media History: Before applying, take stock of the accounts you have used in the last five years, even if you no longer actively post on them.
Be Honest and Complete: List every account truthfully. Do not assume the embassy will not find inactive or obscure accounts.
Check for Consistency: Ensure that what you declare on the DS-160 form matches what can be found online. Consular officers often cross-check information.
Seek Guidance if Unsure: If an applicant is confused about how to fill out the DS-160, it is advisable to consult the embassy’s official guidelines or seek help from credible visa consultants.
For many Nigerians, obtaining a US visa remains a life-changing opportunity—whether for education, business, tourism, or family reunification. According to US State Department data, tens of thousands of Nigerian students are currently enrolled in American universities, while Nigerian professionals are among the largest groups of African immigrants in the United States.
However, the process of securing visas is also one of the most competitive and heavily scrutinized. The US consistently ranks Nigeria among the top countries with high visa refusal rates, particularly for tourist and business visas. While some refusals stem from insufficient proof of ties to Nigeria, incomplete applications and misrepresentations are also major contributors.
By stressing the importance of disclosing social media accounts, the embassy is effectively reminding applicants that visa decisions go beyond financial statements or travel history. Digital footprints have become part of the story applicants present to consular officers.
The US is not alone in requiring social media details for visa processing. Several other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, have in recent years expanded their vetting processes to include checks on applicants’ online presence. The move reflects a growing recognition that social media is now central to personal identity, communication, and even political activity.
Critics, however, argue that the practice raises privacy concerns, as governments gain access to vast amounts of personal data that may not always be directly relevant to travel eligibility. Civil liberties groups in the US have challenged the policy in court, calling it invasive and discriminatory. But the policy remains in effect, and for now, compliance is mandatory for Nigerian applicants who want to avoid costly visa denials.
