In a significant policy shift, the United States Department of State has reduced the validity of most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens to just three months, allowing only single-entry travel.
This change, which took effect immediately from July 8, 2025, was announced via an official statement from the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.
The embassy clarified that all valid U.S. visas issued before July 8 will remain unaffected and retain their original status and duration.
The new directive is part of the Department of State’s ongoing global visa reciprocity review, a process that aligns U.S. visa policies with the treatment American citizens receive in other countries.
“US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems,” the embassy noted. “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.”
Why the Change?
According to the U.S. Mission, the decision was influenced by Nigeria’s current standing on specific international travel and security benchmarks. These include:
Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring travel documents are tamper-proof and linked to verified identities.
Visa Overstay Management: Implementation of systems that track and reduce visa overstays.
Information Sharing: Providing critical security and criminal data for cross-border vetting.
The embassy added that it is working closely with Nigerian authorities to help the country meet these global standards.
“The US Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said.
Continued Partnership
Despite the stricter visa terms, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to a strong and cooperative bilateral relationship with Nigeria.
“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity,” the embassy affirmed.
It also applauded Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies for their ongoing efforts toward compliance with international best practices.
Advice to Nigerian Travellers
The embassy urged Nigerian applicants to adhere strictly to the terms of their visas and ensure that their travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.
“We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries,” the statement concluded.
