The United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi has announced that Kenyans applying for visas will now be required to disclose all social media usernames.
In a statement on Friday, July 25, the Embassy said applicants will have to list all the social media handles or usernames they have used in the past five years on the DS-160 visa application form.
The applicants must also certify that the information provided is true and accurate before signing and submitting the form.
“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.
“Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit,” the US Embassy stated.
Read More
The embassy warned that omitting social media information during applications could lead to visa rejection.
“Omitting social media information on your application could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future U.S. visas,” the US Embassy added.
According to the US government, the new requirement is aimed at strengthening the nation’s security.
Meanwhile, the US government has also introduced a new $250 (Ksh32,280) Visa Integrity Fee.
The new fee, which takes effect on October 1, 2025, will be added on top of the existing visa fees.
The fee applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist and business visas, student visas, temporary work, and exchange visitor visas.
Only visa applicants under diplomatic categories A and G, and travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, such as most EU states, Japan, and Canada, are exempt from the fee.
