Presidency: U.S. gives reasons for reducing visa validity for Nigerians

The Presidency says the United States government has disclosed the reasons for reducing visa validity for Nigerians.

The United States government recently announced that it would now give three-month single-entry visas to Nigerian applicants instead of the five-year multiple-entry visa.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria later stated that the government’s decision was not a retaliatory move, saying the changes are part of a global effort to align visa policies with security priorities.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, said the United States has given two reasons for its decision.

Onanuga noted that the U.S. government hinged its decision on the overstaying of visas by some Nigerians and the government’s intention to access some records of Nigerian visa applicants.

The presidential spokesman stated: “The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records.

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“It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.”

Onanuga disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.

Onanuga quoted Tinubu as calling on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions.

Also speaking about the controversy surrounding United Arab Emirates visas to Nigerians, Onanuga said the federal government has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy.

He added: “However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner.

“The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.

“The President assures all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank.”

The Star