US Reverses 5-Year Reciprocity Visa Granted Nigerians 2 Years After

Two years after the United States government granted Nigeria a reciprocity tourist visa with 5 years validity after agreements reached under former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, the country has revised the policy, with reports suggesting a disapproval of incumbent President Bola Tinubu’s foreign policy.

 

This Medium gathered that the United States Department on Tuesday announced that it has revised its visa reciprocity policy, announcing that most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

 

It would be recalled that in 2023, the U.S., during the tenure of former Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, increased visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the US temporarily for business and/or tourism.

 

The Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the US with effect from March 1, 2023, following an approval for the kickstart of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the US and Nigeria former Minister of Interior, Aregbesola.

 

The Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the two countries then also include the reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for American citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015; extension of visa validity to three years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of both countries.

 

However, the US Embassy in Nigeria, while issuing an update in a statement, announced that the new directive takes immediate effect.

 

“Effective immediately, 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.

 

While it is unclear the reason why the US government took the decision, insider sources told this Medium that the move follows allegations of corruption, drug related issues, among others against the current leadership of Nigeria.

 

Respected journalist and columnist, Dele Momodu, also said the development confirms President Tinubu’s limited diplomatic experience.

 

Momodu wrote on Instagram, “This comes on the heels of attending and actively engaging in the BRICS summit. The ramifications of President Tinubu’s limited diplomatic experience and strategic vision are becoming increasingly evident. Meanwhile, ECOWAS has fractured and diverged, marking a significant turning point in regional cooperation.”

 

Efforts to get further clarification on the development from both parties proved abortive as at the time of filing this report on Tuesday evening.

 

However, the statement clarified that all U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their original status and validity.

 

The U.S. government noted that visa reciprocity is a global standard that undergoes regular review and can be adjusted at any time, including changes in permitted entries and duration of validity.

 

“Visa reciprocity 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,” it added.

 

The U.S. reiterated that its visa policies are based on global technical and security benchmarks aimed at protecting the integrity of its immigration systems.

 

“The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said.

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