The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a fresh advisory that should not be taken lightly: Nigerian visa applicants must now provide a complete five-year history of all social media usernames or handles as part of their U.S. visa application.
While this requirement has technically been in place since 2019, the latest reminder underscores the U.S. government’s continued emphasis on digital transparency and background checks in visa screening.
What’s Changing – and Why It Matters Now
Although many applicants may already be aware of the DS-160 visa application form, what’s often overlooked is how thoroughly social media activity is now scrutinized.
In their recent tweet, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria reiterated:
“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years…”
This is more than a routine formality. Applicants who fail to disclose relevant information risk being flagged for:
- Visa denial
- Ineligibility for future visas
- Potential bans from reapplying
The Broader Implication: Social Media = Digital Identity
In today’s world, your online presence is a direct reflection of your values, beliefs, and behavior. Immigration officers may review your posts, comments, and affiliations to evaluate whether:
- Your stated reason for travel aligns with your online activity
- You have any connections to extremist views or activities
- Your digital behavior raises red flags that contradict your application
This is not about “watching your language” once you’re in the U.S, it’s about making sure your digital footprint over the past five years doesn’t contradict your current intentions.
Who Should Pay Attention
- Students applying for F-1 visas
- Tourists and business travelers under B1/B2 categories
- Nigerians with dual online identities or inactive accounts they may have forgotten about
- Applicants who previously used pseudonyms or aliases on social media
Pro Tips to Navigate This Policy Safely
- Audit Your Social Media History
Review all accounts Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Reddit, etc, and list all usernames you’ve used in the past five years, even if the accounts are now deactivated. - Stay Consistent
Make sure the information in your visa application matches what’s visible online. Inconsistencies can trigger suspicion. - Avoid Red Flags
While free speech is protected in many countries, visa applicants are screened for content that suggests threats, violence, hate speech, or fraudulent behavior. - Keep Records
Create a list or spreadsheet of all past and current social media handles to keep track of what you disclose.
Final Thought: Transparency Is Now Non-Negotiable
The U.S. is making it clear: Your online life is now part of your immigration profile. It’s no longer enough to have the right documents, you also need to have a digital trail that supports your story.
As global mobility becomes more digitized, this may just be the beginning of stricter digital identity checks for visa processes worldwide.
