US Demands Kenyans Applying for Visa to Include Their Social Media Profiles
- Social media activities will now determine which Kenyans can be allowed to enter the United States of America (USA)
- The US Embassy in Nairobi declared that applicants will now be required to include the links to their profiles in the application
- Applicants with fake or questionable disclosures would risk permanent ban, the embassy warned further
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The United States Embassy in Nairobi has reinforced the parameters for Kenyans applying for visas.
Source: Twitter
The embassy has included social media activities among its criteria to determine a visa applicant's eligibility.
Going forward, applicants will have to include the links to their social media profiles that have been active for the past five years.
"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," party read the embassy's X statement on Friday.
Applicants listing questionable or fake disclosures would risk rejection; the embassy warned, "the applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit."
This came days after the US introduced the integrity fees for Kenyans seeking visas.
The administration of President Donald Trump recently enacted a new domestic policy measure that introduced a $250 (equivalent to KSh 32,243) “visa integrity fee” for international travellers.
This charge applies in addition to existing visa costs and affects Kenyan applicants and citizens of other countries who require nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.
The regulation falls under the provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, officially signed into law on July 4.
As reported by the State Department, the U.S. granted roughly 11 million nonimmigrant visas during the 2024 fiscal year.
Source: Getty Images
Countries to be exempted from the US integrity fee
Australia and numerous European countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days for tourism or business without needing a visa.
However, recent legislative changes are expected to increase the cost of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to at least $40 (approximately KSh 5,160) — nearly double the current fee.
How Donald Trump's visa integrity fees will affect Kenyans
The Trump administration’s newly introduced visa surcharge is set to make travel to the United States significantly more costly, particularly for Kenyan applicants.
Beginning October 1, 2025, the $250 (KSh 32,500) Visa Integrity Fee will be added to existing visa charges, raising the total cost of a tourist or business visa from $185 (KSh 24,000) to approximately KSh 56,500.
This increase will be even steeper for those applying for employment-based visas, which already carry higher base fees.
The new fee must be paid at the time of issuance, and no exemptions or waivers will be granted.
While the policy includes a provision for a refund, it is only available to travellers who fully comply with visa conditions and depart the U.S. promptly after their visa expires.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
