New directive aims to tighten vetting for education and exchange visa categories
The United States Mission in Nigeria has introduced a new requirement for applicants seeking student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories): all personal social media profiles must be made public.
The announcement, shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria on Monday, takes immediate effect and applies to all prospective nonimmigrant visa applicants in the education and exchange programs.
“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 statement read.
The mission clarified that the change is part of an expanded security protocol aimed at improving identity verification and ensuring applicants meet eligibility standards for U.S. entry.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the U.S. embassy stated.
The updated policy is consistent with a broader guidance released on June 18, 2025, by the U.S. Department of State, which emphasized comprehensive background checks for student and exchange visitor visa classifications.
According to the State Department, the review will include a full assessment of applicants’ digital footprints. To support this, applicants must now allow public access to their social media platforms.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the department said. “The United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those applying do not intend to harm Americans or U.S. interests.”
The Department further reinforced that holding a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that adherence to new procedures is essential for maintaining the integrity of the immigration process.
The new requirement could significantly affect how Nigerian students and exchange applicants manage their online presence, raising questions about privacy and digital transparency in international travel vetting.