US Imposes Stricter Visa Rules on Nigerian Travellers

By: Uju Nwachukwu

The United States government, has revised its visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens to a single entry with a three-month validity period.

The new policy, announced by the U.S. Department of State and confirmed in a statement by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, takes immediate effect. However, all U.S. visas issued before July 8, 2025, will remain valid according to the original terms of issuance.

According to the embassy, visa reciprocity is an ongoing process based on global security standards and bilateral considerations. The updated measures apply to non-immigrant visa categories and may involve adjustments in visa duration, fees, and number of permitted entries.

“Visa reciprocity is a global standard and subject to regular review,” the embassy stated. “Changes may include increasing or decreasing the number of entries allowed, or the duration of the visa’s validity.”

The United States cited global benchmarks as the basis for its decision, pointing to several key areas where countries are expected to comply:

• Secure travel documentation that verifies travelers’ identities;

• Effective systems to monitor and reduce visa overstays;

• Robust information sharing on criminal and security-related matters.

The U.S. government acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its immigration and security frameworks and pledged continued support to help the country meet international best practices.

“We commend the efforts of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies,” the statement read.

“The United States remains committed to working with the Nigerian government to address outstanding challenges.”

The embassy advised Nigerian travellers to ensure that their travel documents are valid, authentic, and accurate, and to strictly adhere to visa terms and conditions.

Despite the more restrictive visa terms, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Nigeria through educational, business, and cultural exchanges.

“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,” the embassy added.

Travellers are encouraged to check the most current visa reciprocity schedule on the official website: www.travel.state.gov.