WASHINGTON DC: The United States government has officially announced a new visa policy restricting non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens to a three-month single-entry limit.
The new measure is aimed at upholding the integrity of the US immigration system and ensuring fairness in global visa reciprocity practices.
The United States Department of State has implemented a significant change in its visa issuance policy for Nigeria.
Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas granted to citizens of Nigeria will now be limited to a single entry and valid for only three months.
This new rule was announced in an official statement by the US Mission in Nigeria on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the adjustment aligns with the visa reciprocity policy introduced under US President Donald Trump which was designed to ensure that US citizens are granted the same type of visa terms that other countries offer them.
Nigeria is one of several countries affected by this reciprocity-based adjustment.
Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period, the statement from the US Mission read.
The mission clarified that this new policy will not retroactively affect existing visa holders. All Visas issued to Nigerians before July 8, 2025, will remain valid for the duration initially granted and under the terms previously set.
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We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,
Despite the visa restriction, the United States emphasized its commitment to maintaining and strengthening the long-standing diplomatic and economic relationship with Nigeria.
The US noted that this policy change does not reflect a breakdown in relations but rather an administrative measure based on global visa standards.
The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our countries safer and stronger, the statement read.
The mission acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to improve its immigration and security protocols to align with international best practices.
It further stated that continued collaboration between both governments would address any remaining challenges in meeting these standards.
We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies. We continue to engage with Nigerian officials to resolve remaining issues, it noted.
The US Mission in Nigeria advised all Nigerian travelers to strictly follow visa regulations. It urged visa applicants and holders to ensure that their travel documents are authentic, complete, and accurate.
Travelers are also expected to comply fully with the terms and conditions of their visa status while in the United States.
This policy shift marks a significant development in US-Nigeria visa relations, especially for Nigerians planning to travel to the United States for business, tourism, education, or short-term visits.
