‘Sola Richards
The United States has clarified that recent changes to its visa policy affecting Nigerian applicants are not intended as punitive measures, but part of a broader effort to strengthen security and improve administrative processes.
At a joint press briefing held on Friday in Abuja with Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, US Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills said the visa revisions were the result of a global review of US visa operations and not aimed specifically at Nigerian citizens.
Earlier, the US embassy had announced reductions in the validity period and the number of permitted entries for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa classes issued to Nigerian passport holders.
Speaking on the rationale behind the decision, Mills said, “Myself and the minister just had a very useful and productive discussion about US visa laws and how to communicate to the Nigerian people the importance of compliance with US visa laws. Let me be clear, the United States values its very strong relationship with Nigeria and the many kinds of connections that exist between our two countries.”
According to the ambassador, part of the new procedures will include more stringent background checks, such as obtaining criminal records from Nigerian authorities. He stated that this is aimed at closing existing security gaps in the visa process.
“We needed to address some of the security vulnerabilities that we saw in our visa processing. The Nigerian government is working to find a mechanism so that we can have a better understanding of who’s before us when they apply for a visa,” Mills said.
He warned that visa overstay or the provision of false information during the application process could lead to severe consequences, including deportation or a permanent ban from entering the United States.
“If you overstay, it can result in deportation and a lifetime ban on future travel to the US, which we don’t want to see Nigerian citizens face,” he said. “Visa compliance is a cornerstone of mutual trust and respect between our two nations.”
Mills reiterated that Nigerian citizens are still welcome to travel to the US for business, education, tourism, medical visits, or family reunions, but stressed the importance of obeying visa conditions.
Minister Mohammed Idris, responding to concerns about the new rules, said there was no indication that the policy amounted to discrimination against Nigerian applicants.
“Before coming to this office, we had engagements with Ambassador Mills, and what he has told me is that this is in no way punitive. It’s just to enhance service delivery between the two countries,” Idris said.
He described Nigerians as regular travellers to the United States and said the government would continue to engage with the US mission to ensure transparency around visa procedures.
“Let me recognise the mutual respect and partnership between Nigeria and the United States and its embassy to keep Nigerian travellers well informed about its visa and consular services,” Idris added.
He said the ministry would work to ensure that Nigerians have adequate access to accurate information regarding consular matters and urged citizens to comply with all visa conditions, both at home and abroad.
