The United States has disclosed that visa applicants must disclose all social media handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.
The directive, highlighted in a notice by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, applies to applicants filling out the DS-160 form, the standard application for non-immigrant visas.
According to the directive, applicants must provide usernames or handles for every social media platform they have used during that period.
“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form.
“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 US Mission said this measure indicates a worldwide trend towards greater examination of digital footprints, as governments consider online behaviour in their security and immigration decisions.
Initially implemented in 2019 during the Trump administration as part of a wider effort to strengthen US visa vetting processes, this requirement continues to be enforced under the Biden administration.
Authorities contend that analysing online activity aids consular officers in evaluating potential security threats and confirming the identity of applicants.
The announcement came amid heightened scrutiny of migration flows into the US, notably after it revised its visa policy for Nigerian nationals, introducing more restrictive terms for most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas in July.
Effective immediately, most Nigerian citizens seeking to enter the United States will be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
