Abuja, July 11, 2025 — The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has clarified that recent restrictions on Nigerian non‑immigrant visas are not connected to Nigeria’s decision to decline hosting Venezuelan asylum seekers, but are part of a broader global “reciprocity” review.
The visa policy, effective July 8, limits most non‑immigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry and three-month validity, replacing the previous multiple‑entry visas valid for up to five years . According to an embassy statement, the adjustments reflect standard international visa reciprocity practices, allowing each country to periodically review and adjust visa privileges.
This comes after reports linked the restrictions to Nigeria’s refusal to accept deported Venezuelans under a proposed U.S. asylum agreement . However, the embassy emphasized that these claims are unfounded.
The Nigerian government has protested the changes, describing them as “disproportionate” and inconsistent with principles of equity and mutual respect . Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa confirmed that Nigeria has initiated diplomatic talks with the U.S. to seek a reversal of the decision and restore previous visa terms .
The embassy noted that existing visas issued before July 8 remain valid, and stressed its commitment to continued cooperation, including efforts to improve Nigeria’s alignment with global visa standards on security documentation, criminal data sharing, and overstay reduction .
