US limits non-immigrant visas for Nigerians to single entry valid for 3 months
The United States has implemented a major change to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas to just three months, and limiting them to a single entry.
This revision was confirmed in a statement released by the US Embassy in Nigeria and takes effect immediately.
“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 Embassy said.
Despite the new rule, the US clarified that any visas issued before July 8, 2025, will remain valid under their original terms and will not be affected by the updated policy.
The State Department explained that the change falls under the visa reciprocity framework — a global standard that evaluates and matches visa conditions between countries.
“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 statement noted.
According to the US, these policy adjustments are rooted in technical and security guidelines designed to maintain the integrity of its immigration system.
“The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said.
The benchmarks used in assessing reciprocity include the issuance of secure travel documents, monitoring visa overstays, and enhanced information sharing between governments.
Acknowledging recent progress by Nigerian authorities, the US commended their commitment to improving immigration and security procedures in line with global standards.
“We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices,” the statement said.
The Embassy further advised Nigerian travelers to strictly adhere to visa rules and ensure their documents are legitimate and current.
