US tightens visa rules: what you post can now deny you entry

The United States Embassy has issued a fresh directive that’s already sparking serious conversations online.

According to the new rule, anyone applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa — that’s student, vocational, or exchange visitor visas — must now set all their social media accounts to ‘public’. Yes, even the Instagram where you only post mirror selfies and Snapchat filters.

The embassy said this is part of an updated vetting process to confirm the identity and admissibility of applicants under U.S. law.

But here’s the part that got everyone’s attention:

If your posts glorify violence, defend ethnic cleansing, or justify barbaric acts for political or religious reasons, you may be denied entry — straight up. The embassy made it clear that social media is now a key part of your background check.

This move has sparked mixed reactions, especially among Nigerian students hoping to study in the U.S. Some are calling it unnecessary surveillance, others say it’s long overdue.

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