Reps ask US to reinstate five-year multiple-entry visa policy for Nigerians

The house of representatives has asked the United States (US) to reverse its recent change in visa policy for Nigerians.

The green chamber passed the resolution on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Muhammad Muktar, a lawmaker from Katsina, and four other legislators.

CHANGE IN US VISA RULES FOR NIGERIANS

The US recently implemented a new visa policy for Nigerians, effective July 8, 2025, limiting the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas, such as tourist, business, and student visas, to just three months.

Additionally, the visas are now single-entry, meaning holders must reapply for a new visa for every trip to the US.

Before the new change, Nigerian applicants were typically granted multiple-entry visas depending on the visa category.

For example, tourist and business visas (B1/B2) often allowed multiple entries for up to five years, student visas (F1) usually covered the whole duration of the academic programme, with room for extensions, while an exchange visitor visa (J1) varied by programme but often allowed multiple entries.

The new visa rule applies only to new visas issued from July 8 onward as previously issued valid visas remain unaffected and can still be used for multiple entries within their original validity period.

The US states department said the new restrictions are also part of broader efforts to strengthen security, reduce visa overstays, and enhance information sharing between countries.

There were claims — now confirmed to be false — that Nigeria caused the policy change by stopping the issuance of five-year visas to American citizens.

TheCable, however, reported that Nigeria’s refusal to accept asylum seekers from the US was partly responsible for President Donald Trump’s recent visa restrictions on the country.

THE MOTION

Moving the motion, Muktar said the three-month single-entry visa rule poses significant consequences across multiple spheres, such as business and academia.

“This decision comes despite the longstanding, strategic, and historic relationship between Nigeria and the United States, a relationship grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, robust bilateral cooperation and people-to-people engagement,” he said.

Muktar said Nigerians in the US constitute one of the most educated and productive immigrant communities, making enormous contributions to America’s healthcare, technology, academia, arts, entrepreneurship, and public service.

He said the new policy undermines decades of goodwill, sacrifices, and bilateral efforts invested by governments, legislatures, and citizens to promote common democratic goals, fight terrorism, and deepen trade, education, and cultural exchange.

The motion was adopted after Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, put it to a voice vote.

THE RESOLUTIONS 

Consequently, the house condemned the US visa, saying it was done “without due consideration of the historical, strategic, and people-centric ties between both nations”.

The green chamber asked the US embassy in Nigeria and the US department of state to rescind the new visa policy and restore the five-year multiple entry visa regime previously granted to Nigerian citizens in the “spirit of mutual respect, equity, and reciprocity”.

The lawmakers also urged the ministry of foreign affairs to engage the US government diplomatically to prevent further “erosion of relations and to protect the dignity and mobility” of Nigerian citizens.

The house asked the Nigeria-US Parliamentary Friendship Group to transmit its resolution to the congress, the US department of state, and the US embassy in Nigeria and to intensify bilateral legislative diplomacy for fairer immigration policies.