Our Reporter, Abuja
The United States Department of State has announced a significant adjustment to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas to single-entry with a validity of only three months.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday, July 8, 2025, the revised policy takes immediate effect and applies to new visa issuances. However, existing U.S. visas issued to Nigerians prior to the date will retain their current status and validity.
The move is part of what the U.S. described as a global standard practice under its “visa reciprocity” policy, which allows for periodic changes in visa duration and the number of permitted entries based on mutual arrangements between countries.
“Visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time,” the statement read, emphasizing that full details are available on the State Department’s official website.
The U.S. government linked the change to technical and security benchmarks used globally to protect the integrity of its immigration system. These include the issuance of secure travel documents, managing visa overstays, and sharing security and criminal records.
The U.S. Mission also noted that it is working closely with Nigerian authorities to help the country meet these benchmarks.
“We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices,” it said, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Despite the policy shift, the U.S. stressed that it values its relationship with Nigeria and is committed to expanding its partnership based on mutual respect, security collaboration, and economic opportunity.
Nigerian travelers were urged to ensure their documents are genuine and up to date, and to strictly observe the terms of their visas.
“The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges,” the Mission concluded.
This development comes amid growing global scrutiny of immigration protocols, and may signal a broader recalibration of U.S. visa policies toward several countries.
