Abuja, Nigeria – The United States Department of State has announced an update to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, which will immediately impact citizens of Nigeria. Most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.
The announcement was made in a press release from the United States Embassy in Abuja on July 8, 2025. The embassy clarified that US non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their original status and validity. They also underscored that visa reciprocity is a continuous process globally, subject to review and change at any time, including adjustments to permitted entries and validity durations. The latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries is available on travel.state.gov.
The US Mission stated that its visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, based on global technical and security benchmarks. The Mission confirmed it is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet these criteria.
Examples of standard criteria cited include:
- Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveller identities.
- Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travellers on US visas.
- Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.
The United States affirmed its longstanding relationship with Nigeria, reiterating its commitment to expanding partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, aiming to keep both countries safer and stronger. The statement commended the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet international best practices and noted continued engagement with Nigerian government officials to address remaining challenges.
Nigerian travellers 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 reiterated its commitment to deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria through business, educational, and cultural exchanges, and expressed anticipation for 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.
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