US Slashes Nigerian Non-Immigrant Visas To Single Entry, Three-Month Validity

The United States Department of State has announced a significant policy shift in its non-immigrant visa issuance for Nigerian citizens, reducing visa validity to three months and limiting entries to single use for most categories.

According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, the new directive took immediate effect on July 8, 2025, and applies to most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa categories.

“Most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period,” the embassy said in the statement.

However, visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their original validity and entry permissions, the embassy clarified.

The policy change is part of the US Department of State’s global visa reciprocity review, a process that aligns visa issuance policies with those of partner countries and assesses key technical and security benchmarks.

“This is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the embassy explained.

The US government cited the need to maintain visa integrity, border security, and international standards as the driving force behind the decision.

The embassy highlighted areas where improvements are being sought in Nigeria’s systems, including:

• Issuance of secure travel documents

• Visa overstay management

• Information and security data sharing

“US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems,” the embassy noted. “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.”

Despite the enforcement of stricter visa rules, the embassy reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to its diplomatic and economic relationship with Nigeria.

“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity,” the statement added.

The embassy further acknowledged and commended Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve its immigration and security infrastructure in line with international standards.

Nigerians seeking to travel to the United States are advised to take note of the new restrictions and comply with all existing US visa regulations to avoid complications.

This development comes amid a series of tightening immigration policies globally, including the UAE’s recent visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.”

The embassy concluded with a reaffirmation of its engagement with the Nigerian people and government.

“The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.

“We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries,” it stated.