New US visa rule: Nigerian students must make social media profiles public

By Florence Kalu

The US Embassy in Nigeria has announced a new policy requiring Nigerian students and exchange program participants to make their social media accounts public as part of the visa application process.

The policy announced via the US Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday which took effect immediately, applies to individuals applying for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas which is typically issued to students and participants in exchange programs.

According to the US Department of State, the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen security screenings and verify the identity and eligibility of visa applicants.

The US government emphasized that each visa decision is also a matter of national security, and it is committed to ensuring that those granted entry do not pose risks to American citizens or interests.

The US Embassy in a notice posted on June 18, 2025, explained that comprehensive online vetting will be carried out to identify any potential threats and ensure applicants meet all requirements for their visa category. This includes assessing online activity as part of the visa adjudication process.

The new policy requires applicants to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to “public” to allow U.S. authorities to conduct more detailed background checks.

This move is aimed at enhancing the security and integrity of the visa application process as stated.