FG and U.S. Embassy Partner on New Visa Education Campaign
The Nigerian Federal Government and the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria have initiated a joint public awareness campaign to inform Nigerian citizens about recent changes to U.S. visa policies. This collaboration is a direct response to the U.S. revising its visa reciprocity schedule, which has altered the validity and entry conditions for several non-immigrant visas.
Key Details of the New Visa Rules and Partnership:
Policy Changes: The U.S. has updated its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, affecting popular non-immigrant visa categories such as business (B1), tourism (B2), students (F), and exchange visitors (J). The majority of these visas are now being issued as single-entry visas with a three-month validity period. Visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original validity.
Purpose of the Partnership: The collaborative effort is designed to prevent visa misuse and ensure that Nigerian applicants receive accurate information directly from official sources. This proactive approach aims to reduce visa application errors and overstays.
Emphasis on Compliance: U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. clarified that the new rules are part of a global security review and are not intended to be punitive. He emphasized the importance of providing truthful information during the application process and adhering to visa terms to avoid severe consequences, such as deportation and long-term travel bans.
Bilateral Security Collaboration: The Nigerian government is working with the U.S. Mission to improve security vulnerabilities in the visa process. This includes establishing a mechanism for sharing relevant information, such as criminal records, to ensure applicants are thoroughly vetted.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties: Both the Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation and the U.S. Ambassador underscored that visa compliance is a cornerstone of the mutual trust and respect that defines the relationship between the two nations. They reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to welcoming Nigerian travelers who respect visa regulations.
I'm Aisha shehu
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