Sola Adeniji|M10news|Africa News|18 August 2025
The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a strict directive requiring all visa applicants to disclose their complete social media history when completing the DS-160 visa application form.
In a tweet posted on its official X account on Monday, 18 August 2025, the Mission instructed that all usernames or handles used on any social media platform within the last five years must be included in the application.
The Mission stressed that applicants must certify the accuracy of all information provided in the DS-160 form before submission.
Failure to provide complete or truthful information could result in visa denial and affect eligibility for future travel to the United States.
“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the directive stated.
The US Mission noted that incomplete or misleading entries would not be overlooked and could put applicants’ travel plans at risk. This new guidance underscores the importance of transparency and honesty in the visa application process.
Applicants are advised to carefully review all accounts, including those that may be inactive, to ensure that every handle used in the past five years is listed. The directive covers all platforms, including mainstream social media, messaging apps, and other online communities.
Officials explained that the move is part of wider US visa regulations aimed at enhancing security and screening processes for international travellers.
The US has increasingly requested social media details in recent years as part of its efforts to detect potential security risks.
Visa applicants in Nigeria are encouraged to gather and verify their social media history before filling out the DS-160 form to avoid delays or denials. Experts say that full compliance will help ensure smoother processing of visa applications.
The Mission also reminded applicants that signing the DS-160 form represents a legal affirmation of the truthfulness of the information provided.
Providing false or incomplete data could have long-term consequences, including permanent ineligibility for US visas.
This directive follows a growing global trend of governments requesting more detailed online information from travellers to safeguard national security and ensure compliance with international entry regulations.
For applicants planning to visit the US, reviewing past posts, usernames, and platform activity is now as critical as providing traditional personal and travel information on the DS-160 form.
The United States Mission in Nigeria concluded by urging applicants to take the social media disclosure requirement seriously, as non-compliance could jeopardise not only the current visa application but also any future travel opportunities to the US.
