US asks Nigerian visa applicants to disclose 5 years of social media activity

The US mission in Nigeria says all non-immigrant visa applicants are now required to provide details of their social media accounts from the past five years.

The policy mandates the disclosure of usernames or handles across all platforms used within the period.

The embassy announced the update in a statement on Monday.

“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 statement reads.

“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit.”

The mission warned that omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.

The DS-160 is the online form required by the US Department of State for most non-immigrant visa applications.

Common non-immigrant visa categories include temporary visitors for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2);  F and M visas for students (academic and vocational); and H visas for temporary workers (e.g., H-1B for specialty occupations).

‘STRENGTHENING NATIONAL SECURITY’

This move builds on earlier measures. International student applicants were previously instructed in June to make their social media accounts public for vetting.

The previous month, the President Donald Trump administration suspended student visa appointment scheduling as part of plans to tighten restrictions on applicants considered hostile to the country.

Later, in July, those applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas were directed to adjust their privacy settings to ‘public’ to allow US authorities unrestricted access during background checks.

The US has maintained that these requirements are part of efforts to strengthen national security. Yet, they arrive against the backdrop of Washington’s repeated criticism of governments that suppress or censor free speech online.

In May, Marco Rubio, secretary of state, said the US would impose visa restrictions on foreign nationals who censor Americans on social media.

Rubio said free speech is among the most cherished American rights, accusing foreign governments and officials of clamping down on its citizens.

The revised visa application requirements form part of the US government’s broader effort to control immigration and tighten scrutiny of those seeking entry into the country.

Earlier this month, Richard Mills, US ambassador to Nigeria, said the recent visa policy changes for Nigerians are not meant to punish applicants but to improve security and service delivery.