The Presidency has disclosed the two main reasons the United States reduced the validity of visas for Nigerian citizens.
Previously, Nigerians commonly received five-year multiple-entry visas, but this has been changed to three-month single-entry visas.
While the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria initially cited reciprocity and later a global review of visa processes, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified the core reasons.
Read Also: 8 Countries Where Nigerians Can Easily Get A Work Visa
According to Onanuga, the U.S. government’s decision stems from the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records.
“The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, the US “further explained that the visa policy adjustment was part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations”.
The presidential spokesman explained that the primary reasons for the change were Nigerians overstaying their visas and the US government’s desire to access certain records of Nigerian visa applicants held by the Nigerian government.
“In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.
“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions,” the statement added.
The presidential spokesman highlighted that despite the US reducing visa validity for Nigerians, the Nigerian government will continue to issue five-year multiple-entry visas to American applicants.
He also addressed the ongoing controversy regarding UAE visas for Nigerians.
“Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy,” he said.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
