The United States Department of State has announced the revision of its visa reciprocity policy, declaring changes to the Nigerian-U.S. visa validity.
Starting from July 8, 2025, Nigerian non-immigrants will be eligible only for single-entry visas. Also, the validity period of the visas will now be around three months.
The changes to the Nigerian-U.S. visa validity mark a departure from previous policies that offered Nigerians multiple-entry visas valid for up to two or even five years.
It was gathered that the decision, rooted in visa reciprocity, reflected Nigeria’s own policy of issuing single-entry, three-month visas to American citizens.
The U.S. Department of State also emphasized that this adjustment aligns with global security and technical benchmarks designed to safeguard the integrity of America’s immigration system.
The single-entry, 3-month validity restriction applies to most non-immigrant visa categories, including popular B1/B2 visas for business and tourism.
However, the U.S. Department of State announced that visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original status and validity.
“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 release reads.
The U.S. government also 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.
“The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement added.
The U.S. encouraged Nigerian travelers to:
• Respect the terms of their visas.
• Ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.
• The Embassy reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening bilateral relations, including educational, business, and cultural exchanges.
“The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria. We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels.”