The United States Embassy in Nairobi has issued a pointed advisory to Kenyan nationals, warning that failure to comply with visa regulations could lead to serious penalties, including bans on future travel.
The notice comes amid the rollout of tougher visa application rules, part of Washington’s broader security agenda.
Embassy officials highlighted a common misconception: that a visa guarantees entry or long-term stay in the US. In reality, a visa only authorises travel to a US port of entry.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers decide the permitted duration, recorded on the I-94 website under the “Admit Until Date.”
Overstaying, the Embassy stressed, carries severe consequences such as visa denials and long-term ineligibility for re-entry.
The advisory follows new application requirements obliging all applicants to provide details of their social media accounts, including usernames and handles used over the past five years.
The measure has triggered debate, with critics citing privacy concerns and the burden on applicants with limited internet access or digital literacy.
Officials, however, insist that accurate disclosure is mandatory. Any attempt to withhold or falsify information, they warn, could result in immediate rejection and permanent ineligibility.
The Embassy framed the changes as part of a global effort to tighten vetting standards and strengthen national security through digital monitoring.
Civil liberties groups have pushed back, saying the rules disproportionately affect genuine travellers and risk undermining fairness in the visa system.
