Nigeria has taken steps to fix a visa policy after the United States reduced the validity of its non-immigrant visa for Nigerians to three months from five years.
The Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, met with the United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills, over the recently introduced visa procedures by the US government for Nigerians.
Mr Tunjo-Ojo in a statement on Wednesday, a day after the US announced a major change to its visa policy for Nigeria, said, “Our government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu (GCFR), will continue to ensure strict compliance across the board in key areas, including secure travel documents, ensuring the issuance of secure travel documents with verified traveller identities. Visa overstay management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travellers on US visas.”
According to the Minister, the gathering was aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and the US through a well-structured visa framework.
He said the recently introduced visa procedures by the US government for Nigerian nationals were discussed during the meeting.
Mr Tunji-Ojo stated said the US ambassador provided “valuable insights into the revised protocol and its alignment with established practices to uphold the integrity of the visa process.”
“The ambassador described the new e-visa policy of the Nigeria Immigration Service as an innovation intended to streamline and enhance the application process for foreign travellers into the country,” he stated.
“The Ministry of Interior, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the US Mission in Nigeria agreed to strengthen collaboration, emphasizing adherence to visa regulations and promoting responsible travel practices among Nigerian citizens.
“Information sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety,” the minister added.
In its reciprocal policy, the US said nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months, adding that this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more.
Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US.
Business Post reports that Nigeria has no ambassador to the US, under President Bola Tinubu.