Nigeria kicks against US visa rule, calls for reconsideration

Our reporter/ The federal government has raised concerns over the U.S. revised visa reciprocity policy and is asking for a reconsideration.

According to the policy, Nigerian non-immigrant visas are now limited to single-entry, three-month validity.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes the move puts a “disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers.”

“Nigeria respectfully urges the U.S. to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities, while acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies,” a statement by the ministry’s spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, issued on Wednesday, read.

Ebienfa said the Nigerian government “views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries”.

“The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.

“Nigeria notes this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges,” the statement read.

The ministry further said the Nigerian government was taking diplomatic steps to resolve the issue.

On Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria rolled out a new policy restricting non-immigrant and diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry visas with a three-month validity.

“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,” a statement from the embassy read.

It said the move aligned with the Trump administration’s reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting many countries, including Nigeria.

“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the embassy added.

However, US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, are not affected by the new policy.