The United States Government has announced a revision of its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria and several other countries, with the changes taking immediate effect.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, the new policy stipulates that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry with a three-month validity period.
Visas issued before July 8, 2025, will remain valid under their existing terms.
The embassy clarified that visa reciprocity is a global standard practice and subject to ongoing review. This may include increasing or decreasing the number of permitted entries or changing the duration of visa validity.
According to the U.S. Mission, the policy update aligns with global technical and security benchmarks, aiming to protect the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
The United States is also engaging with the Nigerian government to meet standard visa reciprocity criteria, which include:
- Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring travel documents are tamper-proof and tied to verified identities.
- Visa Overstay Management: Implementing systems to reduce visa overstays.
- Information Sharing: Providing relevant security and criminal data to improve public safety.
The U.S. Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to a strong bilateral relationship with Nigeria, stating that it values mutual respect, shared security goals, and economic cooperation.
"We commend Nigeria's ongoing efforts to align with international best practices in immigration and security," the embassy noted. "We continue to work closely with Nigerian officials to address outstanding issues."
The U.S. Government also urged Nigerian visa applicants to ensure their travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date, and to adhere to visa conditions.
It added that the U.S. remains committed to strengthening ties with Nigeria through education, cultural exchange, and business collaboration, and looks forward to continued cooperation with the Nigerian public and government.
