The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced a significant update to its visa screening procedures, mandating that all applicants for F, M, and J category nonimmigrant visas adjust their social media privacy settings to public visibility. This directive, effective immediately, is part of a broader effort to enhance national security through comprehensive background checks.
These visa categories are typically issued for academic studies (F), vocational training (M), and cultural or educational exchange programs (J). According to the embassy, the visibility of applicants’ digital footprints—particularly on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn—will now play a critical role in verifying identity and assessing admissibility under U.S. immigration law.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the embassy stated. “Transparency in digital activity is now a key component of the vetting process.”
Applicants are strongly advised to ensure that their online content does not promote or glorify terrorism, ethnic violence, or politically motivated aggression. Failure to comply with the new social media disclosure requirement may result in delays, denials, or future ineligibility for U.S. visas.
This policy shift reflects a growing global trend toward data-centric immigration enforcement, where digital behavior is increasingly scrutinized as part of identity verification and risk profiling.
The U.S. Embassy encourages all Nigerian applicants to review their social media settings and ensure full compliance to avoid disruptions in the visa process. For further details, applicants should consult the U.S. Embassy Nigeria’s official website.