U.S. Reduces Non-Immigrant Visa For Nigerians To Single-entry, 3-Month Validity
The United States has introduced a significant modification to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, shortening the validity period and entry permissions for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, July 8, the US Embassy in Nigeria announced that most impacted visas will now be restricted to a single entry with a three-month validity period. The policy change is effective immediately, although visas issued prior to July 8 will retain their original terms.
The embassy clarified that this adjustment aligns with its global visa reciprocity framework, which seeks to harmonize US visa regulations with the treatment of US citizens by other nations. It noted that visa policies are periodically evaluated, potentially leading to additional changes in validity durations or entry permissions.
Nigeria must still fulfill specific requirements to enhance its reciprocity status, such as issuing secure travel documents with verifiable identities, effectively addressing visa overstays, and sharing security and criminal record data with US authorities.
“The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said. Despite the tightened regulations, the US reaffirmed its dedication to fostering robust relations with Nigeria.
Previously, the embassy also recommended that applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas—encompassing students and exchange visitors—make their social media profiles public. This step is part of strengthened vetting processes designed to confirm applicants’ identities and eligibility under US law.
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