U.S. Reduces Visa Duration for Majority of Nigerian Applicants

The United States has introduced major revisions to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerian citizens, significantly shortening the validity period and limiting entry options for most travelers.

Effective July 8, the U.S. Department of State announced that nearly all non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians will be restricted to a single entry and valid for just three months.

According to the department, the move is part of a broader global reciprocity adjustment, marking a notable departure from earlier visa arrangements that often permitted multiple entries over extended periods, sometimes exceeding two years.

This policy shift aligns with Nigeria’s own visa rules, which grant single-entry, three-month visas to U.S. nationals visiting the country.

The Nigerian government has voiced strong concerns over the United States’ recent tightening of visa rules for its citizens, calling the decision “excessive” and appealing for a review of the policy.

Officials warned that the new restrictions could disrupt long-standing cultural and academic exchanges between the two nations — relationships that have historically underpinned U.S.-Nigeria ties.

In response, the U.S. State Department maintained that its visa policies are part of a continual reassessment process, shaped by factors such as diplomatic relations, security needs, and immigration trends.

Washington also confirmed it is collaborating with Nigerian authorities to ensure alignment with international travel standards, which include:

• Issuing secure and tamper-proof travel documents
• Effectively managing visa overstays
• Sharing relevant security and criminal information for public safety

Additionally, the U.S. announced it would begin reviewing the social media activity of all visa applicants, including Nigerians, to screen for potential hostility toward American society, institutions, or values.

According to the 2024 Open Doors report — published by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs — Nigeria ranked as the seventh-largest source of international students in the U.S., and the top in Africa, reflecting a 13.5% increase from the previous year.

Amid the fallout, some in Nigeria have questioned the motives behind the visa changes. Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, speculated on X (formerly Twitter) that the move might be less about reciprocity and more about political signaling, pointing to President Bola Tinubu’s recent engagement with BRICS nations as a possible trigger.

“This isn’t simply a case of matching policies,” Ahmad wrote. “It seems to reflect growing U.S. discomfort with Nigeria’s pivot toward emerging global alliances like BRICS.”

However, not all experts agree. Immigration attorney Godwin Oke told the BBC that the U.S. decision aligns with established diplomatic practices.

“This is standard visa reciprocity,” he said. “The U.S. had been granting Nigerians five-year, multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria offered Americans only short-term, single-entry ones. The U.S. is now simply mirroring that.”

Earlier this year, in March, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria issued a warning to travelers, emphasizing that overstaying a visa could result in a permanent ban or legal consequences. While exact figures on Nigerian visa overstays remain unavailable, concerns are growing that tougher rules could lead to a decline in visa approvals.

Despite these developments, many young Nigerians still view the U.S. as a prime destination in the ongoing “Japa” wave — a growing movement among youth seeking opportunities abroad. “Japa,” a Yoruba term, translates loosely to “escape”, symbolizing the widespread desire for a better life beyond Nigeria’s borders.