US Embassy Commences Screening of Nigerian Students’ Social Media Accounts
The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new rule for anyone applying for F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas. These are special visas for people who want to study, learn vocational skills, or take part in exchange programs in the United States.
According to the U.S. Mission, all applicants in these categories must now change their personal social media accounts from private to public. This update was posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria and is effective immediately.
The Mission explained that this new requirement is part of efforts to improve how they review visa applications. By viewing public social media accounts, U.S. officials believe they can better confirm each applicant’s identity and decide if they are eligible to enter the country. They also emphasized that this measure helps identify anyone who might pose a threat to national security.
In June 2025, the U.S. Department of State had already signaled this change was coming. They published a notice saying that they would now carry out a more thorough review of all student and exchange visa applicants, including their online presence.
The Department stated clearly that “every visa adjudication is a national security decision” and reminded the public that a visa is a privilege, not a right. They emphasized that all applicants must demonstrate they are fully qualified for the visa they seek and intend to comply with all U.S. laws and regulations during their stay.
This thorough vetting process is part of broader efforts to protect communities, including children and families from harm by ensuring that they grow up in a safe environment by granting entry to individuals with peaceful and lawful intentions.
