In a significant shift to its visa issuance policy, the United States Department of State has announced immediate changes to the terms of non-immigrant visas for Nigerian nationals.
Under the new guidelines, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas granted to Nigerian citizens will now be limited to a single entry and will carry a validity of just three months.
The updated regulation does not affect visas issued before 8 July 2025, which will continue to hold their original status and terms.
This revision, part of a broader global standard known as visa reciprocity, reflects ongoing efforts by the US to align its immigration protocols with international security and administrative benchmarks.
According to the US government, visa reciprocity is a dynamic framework and may be revised at any time depending on a country’s compliance with key requirements.
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Some of the standard benchmarks cited include the issuance of secure travel documents with verified identities, the implementation of systems to manage visa overstays effectively, and active sharing of criminal and security-related data between governments.
While the policy may come as a surprise to many prospective Nigerian travellers, US officials have reiterated that the move is part of a standardised approach applicable to multiple countries.
The US Mission in Nigeria has stressed that it remains in dialogue with the Nigerian government to address outstanding issues and support progress towards meeting international best practices.
“We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices,” the US Mission said in a statement. “We continue to engage with Nigerian government officials to address the remaining challenges.”
The US also called on Nigerian citizens to ensure their travel documents are accurate and valid, and to adhere strictly to the terms of their visas.
Despite the tightened rules, the US emphasised its continued commitment to fostering strong people-to-people connections with Nigeria, through avenues such as business, education, and cultural exchange.
Travellers are advised to consult the official website — travel.state.gov— for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and reciprocity schedules
