By Onilede Titi Faith
The United States Embassy in Abuja has announced a major revision to its visa policy for Nigerian citizens, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant visas to three months and limiting them to single entry, effective Monday, July 8, 2025.
In a statement, the Embassy said the decision followed a reciprocity review; an exercise aimed at aligning U.S. visa terms with Nigeria’s treatment of American travelers.
“Effective July 8, 2025, the validity of most non-diplomatic, non-official visas issued to Nigerian nationals will be limited to three months and single entry,” the statement read.
The change affects visa categories such as tourism, business, study, medical visits, and other short-term travel purposes.
Previously, many Nigerian applicants received visas valid for two years with multiple entries.
However, the Embassy clarified that current visa holders with longer validity and multiple entries can still use them as long as they remain unexpired and valid.
“This policy is not retroactive,” the Embassy emphasized.
While the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to strong bilateral ties and legitimate travel, it noted that visa reciprocity ensures fairness in how nations treat each other’s citizens.
An Embassy official said Nigeria has maintained stricter visa terms for U.S. citizens for years, prompting the revised policy.
The move has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria. Frequent travelers expressed concern over increased travel costs and inconvenience, while others urged the Nigerian government to re-evaluate its own visa policies to secure better terms for its citizens.
Travel agents also reported a surge in inquiries from applicants hoping to beat the policy change deadline.
The Embassy advised travelers to plan accordingly and comply fully with visa conditions to avoid future complications.
