The United States Mission in Nigeria has rolled out a new visa requirement that directly affects Nigerian students and exchange visitors: all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must now make their personal social media profiles public.
The new directive, announced via the US Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, took immediate effect from Monday. The affected visa categories include F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visas—popular among Nigerians seeking to study or participate in educational programs in the US.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public,’” the US Mission stated.
This move is part of enhanced security measures designed to vet visa applicants thoroughly. According to the US Department of State, the decision aims to ensure that individuals entering the country do not pose any threat to national security. The department reiterated that every visa adjudication is “a national security decision.”
In an earlier notice posted on June 18, 2025, the department emphasized that visa is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must prove that their intentions align with the stated purpose of entry. It stated, “We will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants.”
The announcement has sparked discussions among Nigerian students, with many expressing concern over digital privacy. Some worry that the rule could discourage applicants who prefer to keep their personal online activity private.
Visa applicants are now being advised to review and clean up their social media profiles before applying, as US authorities will have unrestricted access to their digital footprint. The policy underlines the growing influence of online activity in international travel decisions and the increasing scrutiny of social media in global immigration policies.
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