The United States Department of State has announced a major revision to its visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria, cutting down most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to a single entry with a validity period of just three months.
The policy change, which takes immediate effect from July 8, 2025, marks a significant departure from previous visa arrangements and is expected to impact thousands of Nigerian travelers seeking entry into the U.S. for business, tourism, education, and other non-diplomatic purposes.
In a statement released by the U.S. Mission, officials clarified that all U.S. visas issued to Nigerian citizens before the July 8 cutoff date will remain valid and unaffected by the new rules.
“As is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time,” the statement noted, adding that changes may include adjustments to the number of permitted entries and validity duration.
The Department of State says the move aligns with its global security and immigration standards, describing the new measures as part of efforts to “protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems.” It also emphasized that the decision is guided by international benchmarks, not targeted at any specific country.
While the updated policy introduces new limitations, the U.S. government stressed that it continues to value its longstanding ties with Nigeria and remains open to collaboration aimed at improving compliance with visa and security protocols.
“We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices,” the statement added.
U.S. officials also confirmed that discussions with the Nigerian government are ongoing, aimed at addressing the “remaining challenges” necessary to meet its visa policy criteria. Nigerian citizens are encouraged to ensure that their travel documents are valid, accurate, and authentic, and to strictly adhere to the terms of their visas.
Despite the policy tightening, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to fostering strong people-to-people ties with Nigeria through educational, cultural, and business exchanges.
What This Means for Nigerian Travelers
With this shift, most Nigerian applicants approved for non-immigrant visas, such as B1/B2 business-tourism visas, will now be restricted to one trip within three months of issuance. This could increase the burden for frequent travelers, especially entrepreneurs, students, and professionals who previously relied on longer-duration, multiple-entry visas.
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