U.S. Mission Clarifies Visa Validity Reduction for Nigerian Applicants

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has issued a public clarification regarding the recent reduction in the validity period of most nonimmigrant U.S. visas issued in Nigeria, following widespread speculation and misunderstanding surrounding the policy change.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the Mission made it clear that the change is not connected to Nigeria’s stance on third-country deportees, its adoption of e-visa policies, or any affiliations with international groups such as BRICS. Instead, the reduction is part of what the Mission described as an “ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries.”

According to the U.S. Mission, the review is based on technical and security benchmarks designed to safeguard the U.S. immigration system. It emphasized that similar changes are being made in multiple countries as part of this broader reassessment.

Reaffirming the strength of U.S.–Nigeria relations, the Mission stated its commitment to continued cooperation with both the Nigerian public and government. The goal, it noted, is to help Nigeria meet the necessary criteria and benchmarks that support secure, legal, and mutually beneficial travel between the two countries.