The United States Mission in Nigeria has introduced a new requirement for individuals applying for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas, mandating that applicants set their social media accounts to “public.”
F, M, and J visa categories are issued to students and individuals participating in educational or cultural exchange programs in the U.S. The updated guideline is aimed at enhancing the U.S. government’s vetting procedures to verify the identity and admissibility of applicants.
Announced via the U.S. Mission Nigeria’s official X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, the policy is 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 U.S. government says the measure is part of broader efforts to bolster national security. “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 post added.
The U.S. Department of State had initially announced the upcoming change on June 18, 2025. At the time, it emphasized that a U.S. visa is a privilege—not a right—and that all F, M, and J visa applicants would now undergo more thorough vetting, including assessments of their online activity.
A statement from the Department read: “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission do not intend to harm Americans or U.S. national interests.”
The policy applies to all personal social media accounts and is expected to aid U.S. consular officials in assessing whether applicants intend to use their visas for their stated educational or cultural purposes.
