By Summary
- The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issued an advisory urging Nigerians to use their U.S. visas responsibly, emphasising compliance with the purpose of their visa applications due to concerns from the U.S. Government about misuse by some Nigerian citizens
- Visa holders are warned that violating immigration laws can lead to severe consequences
- The NIS also highlighted that U.S. consular officers may deny tourist visas to those suspected of travelling for birth citizenship purposes
- Following updates on July 8, 2025, most non-immigrant visas for Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry with a validity of three months; existing visas retain their original status, and the focus remains on secure travel documents and information sharing for public safety while fostering a strong partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria
The Nigeria Immigration Service, in an advisory issued on Friday, August 1, urged Nigerians to use their U.S. visas responsibly and in strict compliance with the stated purpose of their applications. The advisory, signed by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, stated: “The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to inform the general public of concerns raised by the United States Government regarding the misuse of U.S. visas by Nigerians.”
This follows concerns raised by the U.S. Government over the misuse of visas by some Nigerian citizens. The advisory explained that visa holders must strictly follow the purpose outlined in their visa applications, as U.S. authorities conduct security screenings beyond initial entry. Violating immigration laws can result in visa revocation or deportation. Overstaying or breaching visa conditions may lead to severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel.
In addition, the advisory stated that the U.S. is committed to a secure and transparent visa process, expecting full compliance from visa holders with immigration regulations. Nigerian students in the U.S. are advised to remain actively enrolled in their study programmes and avoid unauthorised withdrawals, as these could lead to visa cancellation and future travel ineligibility.
Furthermore, the NIS cautioned that U.S. consular officers may deny tourist visas to those suspected of travelling to give birth for citizenship purposes. The NIS affirmed that it will continue to work with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to prevent Nigeria from facing expanded visa restrictions.
The United States’ Revised Visa Reciprocity Policy for Nigeria
This directive by the NIS comes 24 days after the United States Department of State, on July 8, 2025, announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy. The release maintained that effective from that moment, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry with a validity of three months. Visas issued before this date will retain their original status and validity.
The U.S. emphasized that visa reciprocity is an ongoing process subject to change, which may affect entry permissions and validity durations. Current visa criteria focus on secure travel documents, management of visa overstays, and information sharing to enhance public safety.
The release also mentioned that the U.S. values its relationship with Nigeria and is committed to strengthening this partnership through mutual respect and shared goals. The U.S. Mission is collaborating with Nigerian authorities to help meet international standards and encourages Nigerian travelers to comply with visa terms and ensure their travel documents are accurate and up to date.
