U.S. Embassy Nairobi Mandates Social Media Disclosure for All Visa Applicants

By Kennedy Nalyanya

Nairobi, Kenya – Effective immediately, Kenyans applying for U.S. visas will be required to disclose all social media usernames and handles from the past five years as part of a new directive issued by the United States Embassy in Nairobi.

The updated requirement, detailed in a statement released by the embassy on Friday, stipulates that this information must be included on the DS-160 Visa application form. The DS-160 is the standard application for temporary travel to the U.S., encompassing visas for tourism, business, studies, and medical treatment.

"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 embassy statement read. It further emphasized the importance of accuracy, stating, "Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit."

A crucial warning accompanied the directive: "Omitting social media information on your application could lead to visa denial or ineligibility for future U.S Visas."

This new mandate is part of an ongoing enhanced tourist screening process, which the embassy states is designed to bolster national security and protect public interests.

The move follows a broader announcement in June 2025 by the United States’ Department of State regarding increased vetting and screening measures aimed at deterring illegal entry into the country. At that time, the Department of State also advised visa applicants with private social media accounts to adjust their settings to public to facilitate thorough analysis and determination of their eligibility for entry.

"The State Department is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right," a previous statement from the Department of State declared. "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. Under 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."

These directives are consistent with a series of policies implemented by the administration of President Donald Trump, who extensively referenced his efforts to curb illegal immigration during his successful re-election campaign in late 2024.