The United States has announced that all Nigerian visa applicants must now provide a five-year social media history as part of the mandatory requirements for entry consideration.
The directive, issued by the U.S. Department of State, expands on the earlier screening process that initially applied to F, M, and J non-immigrant visas. As of Monday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria confirmed that the policy now covers all categories of Nigerian visa applicants.
“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,” the Mission stated on X.
It further warned that omitting social media information could result in visa denial and future ineligibility, stressing that applicants certify the accuracy of their submissions before signing and submitting their applications.
The Mission clarified that U.S. non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, remain valid and unaffected by the update.
Tighter Immigration Under Trump
The development comes amid a raft of stringent migration and deportation measures rolled out by President Donald Trump since assuming office for a second term in January 2025.
In July, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria also limited non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas to a single-entry permit with a three-month validity, citing reciprocal policies in line with Trump’s broader immigration agenda.
Trump, who has promised mass deportations of what he describes as “criminal aliens,” has already overseen large-scale raids targeting undocumented immigrants in homes, schools, workplaces, and shopping centres. Deportees have included nationals from India, Guatemala, and other countries.
Nigerian Diaspora Impact
Nigeria, which accounts for the largest African immigrant population in the United States, has a significant stake in these policy shifts. As of 2015, about 376,000 Nigerians were officially recorded as living in the U.S.
The Nigerian diaspora, particularly in America, plays a major role in the nation’s economy, remitting over $20 billion annually, according to 2023 World Bank data. The U.S. remains a top migration destination for Nigerian youths and the middle class seeking opportunities abroad.
Trump’s immigration clampdown has sparked mixed reactions globally, with some praising his hardline stance while others warn of its humanitarian and economic consequences.
