The United States Department of State has announced a significant change to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, effective immediately from July 8, 2025. Most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians will now be single-entry with a validity of only three months, a sharp rollback from the previous five-year multiple-entry visas that many Nigerians enjoyed.
The US Embassy in Abuja clarified that all non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original validity and status, so current visa holders are unaffected until their visas expire. However, new applicants must now adhere to the stricter terms, which mean a Nigerian traveler can only enter the US once and must use the visa within three months, or it expires unused.
This policy shift is part of the US government's ongoing visa reciprocity process, aimed at aligning visa issuance policies with how Nigerian authorities treat US citizens. The US cited global technical and security benchmarks as guiding principles, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of its immigration system. The US Mission in Nigeria is working closely with Nigerian authorities to help Nigeria meet these international standards, which include secure travel documents, managing visa overstays, and sharing relevant security information.
The move has sparked concern among Nigerian travelers and stakeholders, given the increased difficulty for Nigerians planning multiple or extended trips to the US for tourism, business, or study. It also reflects broader diplomatic and security considerations shaping visa policies globally.
In summary, Nigerians applying for US tourist, business, student, or other non-diplomatic visas after July 8, 2025, will face more restrictive single-entry, short-duration visas, marking a major change in US-Nigeria travel relations.