US Embassy Now Requires Nigerian Students to Make Social Media Profiles Public for Visa Screening
write (By SpringnewsNG, July 8, 2025):
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has introduced a new visa policy requiring Nigerian students and exchange program applicants to make their personal social media accounts publicly accessible.
Announced via the US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, July 8, 2025, the policy affects all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas—primarily students and participants in academic and cultural exchange programs.
According to the statement, applicants in these categories must now adjust the privacy settings on all personal social media platforms to “public” before attending their visa interviews. The update is effective immediately, and failure to comply may affect the outcome of visa applications.
“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 embassy stated.
The US Consulate explained that this new requirement is part of strengthened security and vetting procedures designed to verify applicants’ identities and assess their eligibility for entry into the United States.
The policy follows earlier guidance from the US Department of State on June 18, 2025, which stated that social media vetting would now be a critical part of processing F, M, and J visa classifications.
The US government reiterated its stance that holding a US visa is “a privilege, not a right,” highlighting the importance of transparency and national security in the visa approval process.
For Nigerian students and exchange participants planning to study in the US, this new requirement underscores the importance of ensuring that online activities and profiles align with the expectations of US immigration policies.
Written by Okafor Joseph Afam
For SpringnewsNG Media Limited
Contact: +2347039490464
