REVEALED: Why US Reduced Visa Validity for Nigerians to 3 Months in Reciprocal Policy Shift
The United States government has announced a major revision to its visa issuance policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant visas to a single entry with a three-month duration.
This change, which took effect immediately, was confirmed in a statement by the US Mission in Nigeria. The embassy explained that the decision was based on the principle of reciprocity, aligning the US visa policy for Nigerians with Nigeria’s visa policy for American citizens.
“Effective today, most non-immigrant and non-official visas for Nigerian citizens will be single-entry with a three-month validity,” the embassy noted in its official communication.
Previously, many Nigerian applicants were granted two-year or five-year multiple-entry visas. The revised policy marks a significant reduction in flexibility for Nigerian travelers.
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According to the embassy, this change is part of a broader global visa reciprocity review undertaken by the US government to ensure American citizens receive equal treatment abroad.
This development follows recent reports that the Trump administration was considering visa bans and additional travel restrictions on Nigeria and over 30 other countries as part of efforts to tighten immigration controls.
In a related development, the US has also instituted stricter vetting procedures for foreign students, including those from Nigeria. Applicants are now subject to enhanced scrutiny of their social media accounts, with consular officers instructed to flag content perceived as hostile toward the US government, institutions, culture, or founding values.
“The American people expect their government to take necessary steps to ensure national security, and that is precisely what the Trump administration is committed to doing every day,” the US State Department stated.
The move has sparked discussions in diplomatic and travel circles, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over its potential impact on travel, business, and educational opportunities in the United States.
By PRNigeria
