Confusion over ‘exemption for existing visa holders’ in new US restrictions on Nigerians

Confusion has gripped Nigerians following the United States’ suspension of new tourist, student, and exchange visa applications as part of its latest update to travel restrictions.

The suspension covers immigrant visas as well as non-immigrant visas including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories —  routes most commonly used by Nigerians despite data showing relatively low visa overstay rates.

B visas are temporary visitors for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2); F and M visas are for students (academic and vocational); while J visas are for exchange visitors.

President Donald Trump signed the proclamation on Tuesday.

“The entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended,” Trump said.

The president also asked consular officers to reduce the validity for any other non-immigrant visa issued to Nigerian nationals to the extent permitted by law.

Reasons were given for the partial travel restriction imposed on 15 countries including Nigeria.

“The free operation of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain parts of the country” was first cited as reason for the restriction.

According to the White House, the situation created “substantial screening and vetting difficulties”.

The White House also named an overstay rate of 5.56 percent on the B-1/B-2 visa category and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent on the F, M, and J visas as reason for the partial suspension.

However, in defining the scope, the proclamation noted that the directive does not apply to lawful permanent US residents. It also does not cover foreign nationals who have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of the proclamation.

Athletes, dual citizens of countries not earlier restricted, and US government employees were also spared.

TheCable has contacted the US embassy in Abuja for clarifications.

In July, the US embassy announced a reduction in the validity period and entry allowance for “most” non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians, effectively limiting the legality of their stay in the US to three months with a single entry.

An alleged imbalance in visa reciprocity from Nigeria was cited as the reason for the hard-hitting penalty.

The restrictions were initially applied to several countries, including Ghana, but while the measures were later lifted for Ghana, Nigeria’s remained in effect.