by The U.S. Department of State has updated its reciprocal nonimmigrant visa policy. Effective June 8, most nonimmigrant & non-official visas for Nigerian citizens will be single-entry with 3-month validity. Visas issued before July 8, 2025 remain unchanged.
The United States Department of State 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. Starting June 8, 2025, most Nigerians applying for non-immigrant visas will now only get single-entry three-month visas.
The statements reads: “Effective immediately (started July 8, 2025), most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.”
“Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, 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. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.”
U.S. visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems. These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks. The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria.
Examples of standard criteria include:
- Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.
- Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on U.S. visas.
- Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.
……………the embassy said.
The U.S used to issue a two-year visa validity with multiple entries to many Nigerians before this new policy. Many others got a five-year visa with multiple entries.
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However, in the statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy described the new policy as part of its global visa reciprocity process. This may affect common categories like B1/B2 (tourism/business), F1 (students), H1B (workers), and others.
This means once you leave the U.S., you can’t return on the same visa. You’ll have to apply again from scratch. It’s a sharp shift from the longer validity and multiple-entry visas Nigerians used to receive. Imagine waiting for a year for a visa date, only to be given three months single entry visa.
In mid-June, the Trump administration was considering imposing a visa ban and other travel restrictions on citizens of Nigeria and about 35 other countries….as reported.
