In a notable change, the US Mission in Nigeria has announced that all visa applicants must now provide the social media usernames they have used within the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form.
This move aims to enhance national security by allowing US officials to assess the online activity of visa applicants.
The US Mission in Nigeria, in a post on its Official X handle on Monday, pointed out the importance of transparency in the visa application process, saying, “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.”
Persecondnews reports that this move is part of intensified background checks, which are mandatory for all applicants filling out the DS-160 visa application form.
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have reacted to the new policy, expressing support.
They cited national security concerns and the need for stricter vetting processes.
Anthony Akpoboro on X wrote: “Thanks for the update. Please keep your eyes on ethnic slurs infested X political party legion.” Noble Ochiaga added, “That’s what you get when we abuse liberties! Tightening their grip is as a result of dangers of allowing free exit and entry without routine checks. I support the move that ensures only genuine people were issued US Visa, everyone deserves to be safe.”
Levi Chukwu also welcomed the new policy, saying, “I support this, at least those election riggers and ethnic bigots will not be allowed into the USA.” These reactions reflect a growing sentiment among Nigerians that stricter visa requirements are necessary to ensure national security and prevent potential threats.
According to IntelPoint Between 2009 and 2024, Nigeria witnessed a significant number of visa rejections, with over 1.1 million applications filed and 491,844 rejected, representing a 42.1% overall denial rate.
The rejection percentage peaked at 52.5% in 2017 and remained high, with 45.9% of applicants turned away in 2024, despite a surge in application numbers post-COVID.
The high rejection rate has resulted in millions of euros lost to unsuccessful applications, with non-refundable fees amounting to around €90 for adults and €45 for children.
This trend highlights the need for a more efficient and transparent visa application process, which the new policy aims to achieve by enhancing background checks and ensuring the authenticity of applicant information.
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