Nigerians Now Risk Visa Denial Over Non-Disclosure of Social Media Accounts – US Embassy

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a fresh reminder to visa applicants: declare all your social media handles or face rejection.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy made it clear that applicants must list every social media username used in the past five years.

This requirement applies to all platforms—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and others.

The embassy stated: “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 must also certify that the information provided is true and complete before submitting the form.

“Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,” the embassy warned.

This policy is part of broader US efforts to enhance security screening and prevent fraud.

Digital Footprint Now Part of Background Checks

The DS-160 form is the standard application for non-immigrant visas to the United States.

Since 2019, the US State Department has required social media disclosures to help consular officers assess applicants’ backgrounds.

The embassy’s post serves as a reminder that digital footprints matter.

Even deleted or inactive accounts must be listed if they were used within the last five years.

Applicants are advised to review their online presence and ensure consistency across all submitted documents.

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