The United States has given more information on a new requirement for Nigerian visa applicants, mandating a 5-year social media disclosure on the DS-160 visa application form.
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria, in a press release posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, reiterated that Nigerians will now have to submit a list of all social media usernames they used over the past five years.
According to the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, failure to comply with the 5-year social media disclosure rule could result in visa denial and future ineligibility.
The statement reads: 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.
“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.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the U.S. Department of State has announced the social media disclosure rule.
The U.S. agency said the policy was put in place to tighten screening measures. The policy requires Nigerian applicants to list usernames from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn on the DS-160 form.
The DS-160 form is standard for non-immigrant visas, such as tourist (B-2), student (F/M), and work (H-1B) visas.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that the policy is part of several other immigration policies U.S. President Donald Trump has been putting in place since January 2025.
Recently, the U.S. government revised its visa policy for Nigerian nationals, introducing more restrictive terms for most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas in July.
This means that Nigerian visa applicants will be eligible for single-entry visas valid for just three months.
The U.S. government had explained that the policy was in line with the visa reciprocity arrangement.
