The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued new directives for Nigerians seeking U.S. visas, including the mandatory disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years.
The announcement, made on the Mission’s official X account on Monday, followed efforts by the U.S. Department of State to enhance national security through stricter screening measures.
Applicants are now required to meet six key requirements when applying for a U.S. visa in Nigeria:
1. Matching DS-160 Confirmation Number – Visa applicants must present a DS-160 form with a barcode number that matches the one used to schedule their appointment. Failure to do so will prevent entry into the Consular Section.
2. Correct Appointment Location – Applicants must attend their visa interview at the same location, either Abuja or Lagos, that they selected when submitting their DS-160 form.
3. Double-Check DS-160 – At least two weeks before the interview, applicants must ensure the DS-160 barcode number matches the appointment confirmation. Old or reused DS-160 forms are not accepted.
4. Fixing an Incorrect DS-160 Barcode – If a barcode is incorrect, applicants must log into their AVITS account at least 10 days before the interview and create a support ticket to request a correction.
5. Rescheduling If Rejected – Those turned away due to mismatched barcode numbers must correct the issue and rebook a new appointment. If the previous visa fee has expired, a new payment is required before rebooking.
6. All Social Media Usernames and Handles – Applicants must list all usernames and handles they have used on social media platforms over the past five years on the DS-160 form.
The U.S. Mission warned that failure to comply with these requirements could result in visa denials and future ineligibility.
