The US has announced a drastic change to Nigeria's non-immigration visa policy, reducing the length and conditions for most Nigerian travelers to enter the country.
From July 8th, the US Department of State has stated that almost all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens are single enrolments and are valid for only three months.
This was part of a global reorganization of interactions, a rapid shift from previous visa conditions, often allowing multiple entries over two or more years.
Nigeria also offers a single input visa that is valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.
The Nigerian government has not commented yet.
The State Department says visa policies remain “under ongoing reviews” and may change depending on evolving diplomacy, security and immigration benchmarks.
In a statement, the US government said it is working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure that the country meets important international standards.
These include:
A vast amount of security or criminal data for public safety purposes that manages visas for safe travel documents.
The US has also ordered that all foreigners applying for visas, including Nigeria, should examine “signs of hostility towards citizens, culture, government, institutions, or US establishment principles.”
Nigeria was the US's seventh largest international student and the highest source in Africa, according to the 2024 Open Door Report on International Education Exchange.
A report released by the US Department of State and Education and Culture showed an increase of 13.5% from 2023.
Aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said he believes the US is not reciprocating but showing dissatisfaction with Nigeria.
Bashir Ahmad posted on X that President Bola Tinubu's recent visit to Brazil for a BRICS gathering was behind the movement.
“This isn't merely reciprocity, but rather it appears to reflect an increase in the global realignment of Nigeria, particularly the increased discomfort for us with the warm acceptance we receive from BRICS,” he writes.
