The United States Mission in Nigeria now requires all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas to set their social media profiles to public.

These visa categories are intended for individuals traveling to the United States for academic studies or exchange programs.

The mission stated that making social media accounts publicly accessible is now part of the application process.

This was disclosed by the United States Diplomatic Mission Nigeria’s official X page on Monday, noting the update was effective immediately.

“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 post read.

According to the announcement, the new requirement is intended to support vetting procedures by helping verify applicants’ identities and assess their eligibility to enter the United States.

“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 US national security,” the post said.

The U.S., which first announced the planned update in June, emphasized that obtaining a visa is “a privilege, not a right.”

On June 18, 2025, the US Department of State published on its website that under the new guidance, “we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications.

“To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public.’”

The statement added, “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 into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.”