U.S. Reduces Visa Validity for Nigerians From 5 years to 3 Months
The United States Department of State has reduced the validity of non-immigrant and non-official visas issued to Nigerian citizens from five years to three months. The change, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on Tuesday, was described as a reciprocal measure, aligning with the visa treatment American citizens receive from the Nigerian government.
The embassy noted that the policy shift is part of efforts by the Trump administration to curb visa overstays by Nigerian travelers. It clarified that any visas issued before the effective date—Tuesday, July 8—remain valid and unaffected by the new directive.
Non-immigrant visa categories, such as those issued for business and tourism, account for the majority of U.S. visas granted to Nigerian nationals annually. The previous five-year validity period was introduced in 2022 following complaints that the earlier two-year duration was insufficient.
The new three-month limit is expected to spark discontent among Nigerians, many of whom already face a rigorous and costly application process. Questions are now being raised about whether the shorter validity makes the effort of obtaining a U.S. visa worthwhile.
This latest policy change comes just weeks after the Trump administration placed Nigeria on a list of nearly three dozen countries facing new visa restrictions, citing poor vetting procedures and corruption concerns.
Adding to the strain, President Trump recently called for a 10 percent increase in tariffs on Nigerian exports, citing the country’s growing ties with the BRICS alliance.
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