Lagos: The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria, significantly reducing the duration and conditions under which most travelers from these countries can enter.
According to Nam News Network, the US Department of State revealed that nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of the four nations will now be single-entry and valid for only three months. This move marks a sharp shift from the previous visa terms, which often permitted multiple entries over two years or more. The change is part of a global reciprocity realignment, indicating that US citizens can obtain visas of up to a year in Cameroon and 90 days in Ethiopia.
While the authorities in Cameroon and Ethiopia have yet to comment, Ghana’s government stated that it has issued over 28,500 multiple-entry visas to US citizens this year. Ghanaian authorities expressed hope for an early resolution to the issue and solidarity with their citizens affected by the changes. Similarly, Nigeria has voiced concerns, describing the new restrictions as disproportionate and urging reconsideration. The Nigerian government warned that the visa limitations could hinder cultural and educational exchanges, which have long been cornerstones of US-Nigeria relations.
The US Department of State emphasized that visa policies are subject to ongoing review and may evolve based on diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks. In a statement, the US government confirmed its commitment to working closely with the affected countries to ensure compliance with international standards.
Last month, the United States imposed even stricter measures on Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan, suspending all immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of these countries. Additionally, the US has mandated that social media accounts of all foreign visa applicants be scrutinized for any signs of hostility toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.
Nigeria remains the seventh-largest source of international students to the US and the highest in Africa, as highlighted by the 2024 Open Doors report on international education exchanges. The report, published by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, documented a 13.5% increase in Nigerian students from 2023.
Bashir Ahmad, an aide to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, speculated that the US decision was not merely about reciprocity but also a reflection of its dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s growing global realignment. He suggested that President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Brazil for the BRICS gathering might have influenced the US’s stance.
Contrarily, immigration lawyer Godwin Oke argued that the move is a classic case of visa reciprocity under international diplomatic practice, where countries align their visa terms to reflect mutual treatment. The US had been issuing Nigerians five-year multiple-entry visas, while Nigeria offered Americans short-term, single-entry visas, pointing out the imbalance that needed addressing.
Earlier this year, in March, the US mission in Nigeria issued a stern warning that overstaying a visa could lead to a permanent travel ban and potential criminal prosecution. However, there is no official data on the number of Nigerian travelers to the US who overstay their visas. Concerns persist that the number of Nigerians obtaining visas will decline under the US’s stringent immigration policies.