Consulate Drama Settled: Nigeria affirms commitment to long-term visas for US citizens

Nigerian embassies and consulates in the United States are still giving five-year multiple-entry visas to American citizens. This goes against some recent claims from the U.S. about visa rules between the two countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) checked with the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. and consulates in New York and Atlanta. They found out that Nigerian missions have never stopped giving five-year multiple-entry visas to Americans.

NAN also spoke with some American business people and tourists who were picking up their passports. They confirmed they had been given five-year visas.

Nigerian officials said they do not give Americans three-month single-entry visas. That type of visa is only for last-minute travelers without prior visas and is similar to “visa on arrival” in many countries.

These findings disagree with recent U.S. announcements about changes to their visa policy toward Nigeria. This had caused worries about a possible disagreement between the two countries.

Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to the U.S., said it is not true that Nigeria has reduced visas to only three-month single-entry. He said that as of July 11, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington was still giving two, three, and five-year multiple-entry visas to Americans.

Nigeria started a new visa agreement with the U.S. on March 1, 2023, which allows five-year tourist visas for Americans and three-year visas for diplomats and government workers.

Itegboje said Nigeria had not received any order to stop this visa policy. In fact, he said the U.S. recently praised Nigeria for following most of the agreed rules.

He added that President Bola Tinubu’s government supports this visa policy to improve economic ties, promote travel, and improve Nigeria’s image as a top African destination for business and culture.

The Nigerian Consulate in New York confirmed this information. They said first-time visitors usually get two-year visas, while frequent travelers get three or five-year visas.

Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, the Nigerian Consul-General in New York, said there is no change in Nigeria’s visa policy for Americans. He said the Nigerian government is committed to giving five-year multiple-entry visas to U.S. citizens.

He explained that the recent U.S. statement about reciprocity was unclear, but Nigeria continues to support business and tourism through these visas.

In Atlanta, Ambassador Auwalu Namadina, Nigerian Consul-General, also confirmed the same position. He said there is no change and the Nigerian government will not stop giving five-year visas.

All Nigerian missions in the U.S. said the shortest visa they give Americans is a two-year multiple-entry visa. They also said they approve many visas for tourists and business visitors.