The United States Department of State has announced a change to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.
In a press release issued by the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, the Embassy stated that “most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will now be single-entry visas with a validity period of three months.”
The new restriction takes immediate effect. However, the Embassy clarified that visas issued before July 8, 2025, will maintain their original validity and terms.
The statement explained that the update is part of the Department’s global visa reciprocity process, which is “a continuous process subject to review and change at any time, including adjustments to the number of permitted entries and the duration of validity.”
According to the US, the policy aims to protect the integrity of its immigration systems and is based on global technical and security standards. The Embassy said it is working with Nigerian authorities to help the country meet these standards.
Examples of these benchmarks include secure travel documents with verified identities, effective visa overstay management, and information sharing on security or criminal records to ensure public safety.
Despite the new restrictions, the Embassy reaffirmed the strong diplomatic ties between the US and Nigeria.
“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to strengthening our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunities to keep both countries safer and stronger,” the statement read.
The US also commended Nigeria’s ongoing immigration and security reforms, urging Nigerian travelers to respect visa regulations and ensure their travel documents are authentic and up to date.
“The United States remains a committed partner in fostering people-to-people ties with Nigeria through business, educational, and cultural exchanges,” the statement added.
“We look forward to continued cooperation with the Nigerian public and government to ensure safe and lawful travel between our countries.
ADEOLA KUNLE
