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By Safiyat Muhammed – Abuja | July 9, 2025
In a serious improvement affecting worldwide journey, the United States has drastically diminished the validity and entry privileges of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian residents, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria introduced on Tuesday.
Beneath the brand new directive, most affected visa classes will now be restricted to a single entry and a three-month validity interval, a big shift from earlier preparations that provided a number of entries and longer durations.
The coverage takes quick impact from July 8, 2025, however the U.S. Embassy clarified that visas issued previous to the efficient date will retain their authentic validity and entry phrases.
Why the Change?
The U.S. Embassy stated the transfer is a part of a international visa reciprocity assessment, a coverage framework aimed toward making certain U.S. residents are granted comparable visa therapy in different international locations.
“The U.S. Mission is working with the Authorities of Nigeria to make sure that Nigeria can meet the standards,” the assertion learn.
Based on the embassy, Nigeria should meet sure benchmarks to revive or enhance its visa reciprocity standing. These embody:
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Issuance of safe journey paperwork with verifiable biometric identification options
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Implementation of programs to monitor visa overstays
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Improved information-sharing on safety and prison data with U.S. authorities
Ongoing Analysis
The U.S. famous that visa coverage for Nigeria will probably be topic to common assessment, and changes may very well be made relying on Nigeria’s progress in fulfilling the required situations.
The modifications come at a time when bilateral relations between the 2 international locations stay robust however are being recalibrated in areas of immigration, safety, and international mobility.
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