The Federal Government (FG) has voiced significant concern regarding the recent decision by the United States to alter its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, which now limits the validity of several non-immigrant visa categories to three months with a single entry.
This policy shift impacts B1/B2 (business/tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) visas.
This was disclosed in a statement released by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
FG described the development as being ‘misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.’
The government highlighted its long-standing cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties with the United States.
Nigeria notes that these new restrictions impose a ‘disproportionate burden’ on various groups of Nigerian travellers, including students seeking educational opportunities, professionals conducting legitimate business, families visiting relatives, and individuals involved in cultural and educational exchanges.
While acknowledging every nation’s sovereign right to determine its immigration policies, Nigeria has respectfully appealed to the United States to re-evaluate this decision.
FG stressed that it urges reconsideration in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.
FG confirmed that diplomatic engagements between the two nations are currently underway, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs committed to pursuing a resolution that embodies fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and other officials engaged in a productive dialogue with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, concerning the issue.
The meeting, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations through a more structured visa framework, included high-level attendees such as Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap.
Discussions during the session primarily revolved around the principle of visa reciprocity.
Ambassador Mills provided extensive details on the updated U.S. visa policies, clarifying how these changes align with established practices designed to maintain the integrity of the visa application process.
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The U.S. Ambassador also commended the NIS’s new e-visa policy, describing it as an innovative step intended to streamline and improve the application experience for foreign travellers seeking to enter Nigeria.
Both the Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria mutually agreed to enhance their collaborative efforts.
They underscored the importance of strict adherence to visa regulations and the promotion of responsible travel practices among Nigerian nationals.
Tunji-Ojo stated that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, there has been a continuous commitment to ensuring rigorous compliance in several key areas.
These, he said, include guaranteeing the issuance of secure travel documents with verified traveller identities, implementing measures to reduce visa overstays by Nigerians in the U.S., and fostering improved information sharing regarding security and criminal records to safeguard public safety.
