The US reduced visa validity for Nigerians over visa overstays and access to applicant records, the Presidency says.
The United States has officially informed the Nigerian government that its recent decision to reduce visa validity for Nigerians was based on two key reasons: visa overstays and difficulty accessing applicant records.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the US government cited “the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records.”
He said the policy change is part of a global visa reciprocity process subject to periodic review.
The US recently cut Nigerian visa validity from five-year multiple-entry to three-month single-entry visas. In response, President Bola Tinubu directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and enhance inter-governmental cooperation for verifying identities.
Tinubu also urged Nigerians to respect immigration laws abroad.
On the UAE’s visa policy, Onanuga noted that Nigeria has yet to receive formal communication but said visa issuance appears to be resuming gradually and orderly.