The United States Department of State has restricted most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens to single-entry permits valid for three months.
In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said the new directive takes immediate effect and aligns with the Donald Trump-era policy on visa reciprocity, which affects several countries, including Nigeria.
“Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period,” the statement said.
However, visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their existing validity and conditions.
The mission emphasized that visa reciprocity is a standard global practice and remains subject to change at any time, including adjustments to the number of permitted entries and duration of validity.
It added that U.S. visa criteria are grounded in technical and security standards aimed at protecting the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
“These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks. The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said.
The U.S. also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria through mutual respect, shared security goals, and economic cooperation.
“We commend the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet international best practices and continue to engage with officials to address remaining challenges,” the mission added.
Nigerian travelers were advised to comply with visa regulations and ensure that all travel documents are authentic and up to date.
