Effective today, Nigerians applying for United States non-immigrant visas will only be issued single entry visas valid for a maximum of three months.

 The U.S. embassy in Abuja announced the decision yesterday, stating it aligns with the State Department’s policy of reciprocity and affects several other countries as well.

Previously, eligible Nigerian visitors could be granted visas lasting up to five years. However, the embassy clarified that existing visa holders can continue to use their current visas until expiry.

In a statement the embassy said: ”The United States Department of State has announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting 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.

“Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.  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.  You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.

“U.S. visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems. 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.

Examples of standard criteria include: Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on U.S. visas.

Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.

“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, keeping both our countries safer and stronger. We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices.  We continue to engage with Nigerian government officials to address the remaining challenges.

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“Nigerian travelers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.  The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.   “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.”

Ogunsanwo, Soremekun: U.S. acted within its rights

Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Botswana and former Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo and former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof.  Kayode Soremekun, said the United States as a sovereign nation has acted within its rights.

According to them, reciprocity is a major hall-mark of International Relations.

Ambassador Ogunsanwo said: “When it comes to matters relating to visa, passport and things like that, these decisions are taken in the best interest of the country making the statements. If the affected country is not happy about it, let them reciprocate

“It is as straightforward as that. There’s nothing more to say. No action.”

On whether Nigeria can take action on the issue, he said: “It doesn’t require reciprocity. If what you have said is true, then it’s not a question of asking for reciprocity.”

Soremekun, a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar and Rockefeller Fellow, said: “This new U.S. Visa policy towards Nigeria is clearly restrictive as regards the travelling aspirations of Nigerians to that country.

“If it is grounded in the principle of reciprocity towards Nigeria, the United States as a sovereign nation has acted within its rights. For reciprocity is a major hallmark of International Relations.

“But even then, the new visa policy does not take due cognisance of Nigeria’s contributions to the quality of life in the United States. These contributions can be located in the invisible and invincible domains.

“On this note, it is hardly appreciated by Washington that seven out of every 10 black doctors in the United States are Nigerians. Many of these Nigerian doctors are even working in under-served areas of the United States.

“Equally important is the fact that Nigerians can also be found working on U.S space and nuclear projects. Apparently, the policy community in Washington has not factored these critical issues into its policy calculations. The refusal to do this is not really a lapse on the part of Washington. Nigeria is partly to blame for what can be called this selective amnesia. More often than not, Abuja has not been able to bring up this card in our discussions with Washington.

 Indeed chances are that our policy-makers even know next to nothing about this variable in Nigeria-U.S. relations.

“The folks in charge of our Diaspora policy hardly focus on this critical dimension of Washington-Abuja relations. If this is effectively done, Washington may begin to reset its relations with Abuja. For all said and done, despite the largely asymmetrical relationship between Nigeria and the United States, elements of symbiosis can be discerned.

It is time for Abuja to press this variable into the equation of Nigeria-United States Relations.”