Who di reciprocal non-immigrant visa restriction wey US announce go affect for Nigeria

Di changes wey di United States make to dia reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy dey expected to affect Nigerian tourists, students and business travellers wey dey enta America di most.

On Tuesday, 8 July di United States Mission for Nigeria for statement bin announce sweeping changes to dia non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, wey reduce di duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers go fit enta America.

Dem announce say, "Effective immediately most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria go be single-entry visas wit a three-month validity period.

Dis move na part of one global reciprocity rearrangement, wey be sharp departure from previous visa terms, wey bin often allow for multiple entries ova two years or more.

For years, di US don issue Nigerians 5-year visitor visas and 2-year student visas, even though Nigeria dey only offer single-entry visas valid for three months only for those wey dey plan to visit di kontri from US.

"We wish to note say, as e be standard globally, visa reciprocity na continuous process and e dey subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity," di statement read.

"Di US non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, go retain dia status and validity," di statement add.

Dis reciprocity no apply to pipo wey get immigrant visa, na only for non-immigrant and nondiplomatic visa.

Di Nigerian govment neva respond to dis development yet.

Wetin be US non-immigrant visa and who fall under dis category

Di US govment dey issue non-immigrant visas to foreign national wey wan enta di kontri on temporary basis - for tourism, business, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or oda similar reasons.

Di most common types of US temporary visas include di following:

.B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa: Dis na type of visitor visa wey di US goment dey give pipo wey wan travel go di kontri for business or pleasure. Dem bin dey allow individuals to stay for di kontri for up to six months at a time.

.F Student Visa: Dis type of visa na for pipo wey wan study for America. E dey allow students to attend school full-time and stay for di kontri for up to two years, option bin dey to extend am.

.H Temporary Work Visas: Dis visas like di H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B visas, dey allow pipo work for di US for a limited period of time.

.J Exchange Visitor Visa: Dis type of visa na for those wey dey travel go di United States as part of exchange program wey school or organization dey sponsor. E bin dey allow individuals to stay for di kontri for up to 1 year and dem also fit extend am.

Wbetin Reciprocity mean?

Reciprocity simply mean treating citizens of kontris equally under di law.

Non-immigrant visa applicants from certain kontris like Nigeria or areas of authority fit need to pay visa issuance fee afta dem approve dia application. Dis fees na based on di principle of reciprocity: Wen one foreign govment impose fees on US citizens for certain type of visas, US go impose similar fee on citizens of dat kontri or area of authority for similar types of visas.

Wetin Nigeria law tok about other citizens getting visa to visit

Nigeria goment dey issue different visas to pipo wey wan enta di kontri depending on di purpose of di visit.

Short Visit Visas dey allow travellers visit Nigeria for a period not exceeding three months (90 days) for di purpose of visit, tourism, business meeting, conference, seminar, contract negotiation, marketing, sales, purchase, distribution of Nigerian goods, Trade Fairs, job interview, sports, entertainment, study tour, academic exchange programme, humanitarian services, relief/emergency works, and temporary work permits.

Tourism Visa: Nigeria immigration dey give single-entry, 30-day visa for tourism and sightseeing for Nigeria. Applicants must get valid passport, return ticket, evidence of accommodation and bank statement to show sufficient funds. Dem restrict am strictly for leisure and no allow work or extensions. Minors also need parental consent documents.

Student Visa: Dem dey issue student visa to individuals wey wan pursue full-time studies at approved Nigerian educational institutions. Di visa dey valid for di duration of di academic program, and applicant fit renew am one year at a time.

Meanwhile, for dia statement, di U.S. govment say dem dey work closely wit Nigerian authorities to ensure say di kontri meet key international standards, wey include:

.issuing secure travel documents,

.managing visa overstays, and

.

.sharing security or criminal data for public safety purposes

"Di United States value dia longstanding relationship wit Nigeria and remain committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our kontris safer and stronger," di statement add.

Dem encourage Nigerian travellers to respect and stick to di terms of dia visas, and ensure travel documents dey authentic, accurate, and up to date.