The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new requirement for individuals applying for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas: applicants must now set all personal social media accounts to “public.”
F, M, and J visas are issued to individuals traveling to the U.S. for academic study, vocational training, or cultural exchange programs.
According to a statement posted Monday on the U.S. Mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the update takes effect immediately and is part of enhanced vetting measures.
“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 said.
The U.S. State Department said the change is intended to aid in verifying applicants’ identities and assessing their admissibility.
“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,” it added.
The policy shift was first announced on June 18, 2025, when the Department of State stated on its website that it would implement “comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence” for all applicants in the F, M, and J visa categories.
“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants… will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public,’” the notice read.
Reiterating the discretionary nature of U.S. visas, the department emphasized that visa issuance is a national security decision—not a right.
“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. interests,” the statement concluded.
The new policy underscores the increasing importance of digital footprints in U.S. immigration procedures and highlights the government’s emphasis on transparency and security in its vetting process.
