Nigeria urges U.S. to reconsider new visa restriction policy

FILE – In this Aug. 17, 2018, file photo, people arrive before the start of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami Field Office in Miami. The number of applications for visas used in the technology industry soared for a second straight year, raising “serious concerns” that some are manipulating the system to gain an unfair advantage, authorities said Friday. There were 780,884 applications for H-1B visas in this year’s computer-generated lottery, up 61% from 483,927 last year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a message to “stakeholders.” (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

The Federal Government has called on the United States to review its recent decision to limit the validity of non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens to just three months and for single entry, describing the move as a departure from principles of fairness and reciprocity.

In a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government expressed concern over the revised visa reciprocity schedule, which affects categories such as B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (students), and J (exchange visitors).

The new U.S. policy took effect on 8 July 2025.

“The attention of the government has been drawn to the recent decision by the U.S. to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens.

“Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries,” the statement said.

The Federal Government noted that the new restriction imposes a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, particularly students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaged in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals involved in cultural and educational exchanges.

According to the statement, the decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that have historically guided bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States.

Read Also: IMF commends FIRS for progress on tax reforms

The government described the change as an impediment to the robust cooperation both countries have built over decades across multiple sectors, including security, education, commerce, and governance.

While acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies, Nigeria urged the U.S. to reconsider the policy “in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assured that diplomatic engagements are ongoing to address the situation.

It pledged to continue working towards a resolution that reflects fairness and serves the mutual interests of both nations.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria clarified that all non-immigrant visas issued before 8 July 2025 will retain their original validity and terms.

The embassy also reiterated that visa reciprocity is a global standard subject to periodic review and adjustment, including entry frequency and validity duration.