The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, have jointly addressed the recent changes in US visa policy affecting Nigerian travellers.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, both officials called for greater awareness and compliance with the new visa guidelines.
The US recently revised its visa reciprocity arrangement for Nigeria, reducing the validity period for non-immigrant visas—especially the B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) categories—to three months with single-entry access.
Ambassador Mills explained that the new measures are not targeted at Nigeria but are part of a broader effort to strengthen immigration systems and improve global service delivery.
“These changes are not punitive. They are part of our global efforts to tighten security, ensure proper screening, and promote compliance with US visa rules,” he said.
The envoy stressed that while the US remains open to Nigerian travellers, visitors must obey visa conditions.
“We value our strong relationship with Nigeria. Nigerians are welcome in the US for studies, business, medical visits, tourism, and family reunions. But visitors must respect visa regulations,” he stated.
He warned that overstaying visas or submitting false information could lead to deportation or even a lifetime travel ban.
“If you overstay your visa, you may face serious consequences, including deportation and being barred from entering the US in the future,” he cautioned.
On student visas, Mills also warned of strict enforcement. “If a student fails to attend classes or leaves their programme without informing their school, the visa may be revoked,” he said.
The ambassador added that background checks are now more thorough, with a focus on obtaining accurate criminal records from Nigerian authorities. He said this was part of efforts to improve visa security and ensure only eligible applicants are approved.
“We’re working with the Nigerian government to find ways to verify applicants better. We want to know who is in front of us when they apply,” he noted.
Nigerians Urged to Comply With Foreign Laws
On his part, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the Nigerian government welcomes the US government’s clarification and sees it as a step towards mutual understanding.
He praised the embassy for engaging directly with the Nigerian public, stating that it would help reduce confusion and misinformation.
“This engagement is very important. Our people are frequent travellers, and they need clear information on these changes,” the minister said.
He dismissed claims that the new policy was discriminatory, saying both countries have a duty to enforce their immigration laws.
“When someone enters Nigeria, we expect that person to obey our laws. In the same way, Nigerians must comply with the laws of othersimple Nigerian Journalism English countries,” he said.
Idris added that the Ministry of Information will continue working with the US Mission to improve public awareness about visa procedures.
He said the renewed cooperation between both countries aligns with the Federal Government’s “New Hope Agenda,” which focuses on fostering strong international partnerships.
“This is a new way of strengthening collaboration between Nigeria and the US. The more we engage, the better the outcomes for both nations,” he concluded.
