The United States government has announced a review of its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy affecting Nigeria and several other countries. In a statement titled “Revised Visa Reciprocity for Nigeria” released on Tuesday by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, it was disclosed that the new policy takes immediate effect. “Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will be single-entry visas with a validity period of three months,” the embassy stated.
However, it clarified that U.S. visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their current status and validity. The embassy emphasised that visa reciprocity is a standard global process, subject to regular review and adjustments, which may include changes in permitted entries or the duration of validity. According to the statement, the visa policy review is aimed at protecting the integrity of the U.S. immigration system, aligning standards with global technical and security benchmarks.
The embassy urged prospective Nigerian applicants to check the visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov for up-to-date information. It further revealed that the U.S. Mission is working closely with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure compliance with standard criteria, including:
• Secure Travel Documents: Issuing travel documents with verified traveller identities.
• Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit visa overstays.
• Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and criminal record data to ensure public safety.
“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding this partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunities,” the embassy affirmed. The statement commended Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies for ongoing reforms and urged Nigerian travellers to adhere strictly to visa terms and ensure all travel documents are authentic and current. “We look forward to continued cooperation with the Nigerian government and people to ensure safe and lawful travel between our two countries,” it concluded.
