The United States government has implemented significant new visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, drastically reducing the validity period and entry allowance for most non-immigrant visas. Effective July 8, 2025, the majority of non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians will be for a single entry and valid for only three months.
This marks a considerable shift from the previous policy, which often granted multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria announced that the move is part of a global review of visa reciprocity policies.
In official statements, the U.S. government has cited two primary reasons for the revised policy: a high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and challenges in accessing reliable records of visa applicants. The changes are intended to encourage better compliance with U.S. immigration laws and to ensure the integrity of the visa application process. The policy affects a wide range of visa categories, including those for tourism (B1/B2), business, and students (F, M, J).
The Nigerian government has acknowledged the new U.S. visa policy and has stated that it is actively engaging with American authorities on the matter. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development and said the government is working to address the concerns raised by the U.S.
This new measure has generated considerable discussion across Nigeria, with potential impacts on business travelers, students planning to study in the U.S., and families with ties in both countries. Travelers who held valid U.S. visas issued before the July 8, 2025, effective date will not be affected and can continue to use their visas until they expire.
In addition to the visa validity changes, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has also announced other procedural updates for visa applicants in 2025. These include a mandatory in-person document review in Lagos for immigrant visa applicants and a strict requirement for matching DS-160 confirmation numbers at the time of the interview.
The U.S. Mission has emphasized its continued commitment to the U.S.-Nigeria relationship and has expressed its willingness to work with the Nigerian government to address the underlying issues that led to the new restrictions.
