Nigeria has declared plans to introduce reciprocal visa rules for American citizens following the United States’ unveiling of stricter immigration policies.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Nigeria had been briefed ahead of the announcement by the US Mission in Abuja and would not hesitate to reciprocate Washington’s latest measures.
A statement explained, “Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures.”
US Visa Rules Under the Trump Administration
The new US policy significantly limits non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians. Most are now restricted to single-entry permits valid for only three months, a sharp reduction from previous multi-entry approvals.
The US State Department defended the decision as part of its global visa reciprocity framework, intended to safeguard “the integrity of US immigration systems.”
Stricter Application Requirements
As part of the updated rules, visa applicants must now disclose:
- All social media handles used in the past five years.
- Every email address, username, and phone number is linked to their identity.
- Accurate information, with warnings that omissions could trigger visa denials or future ineligibility.
The US Mission emphasized the move as a national security measure covering all platforms and apps used for communication and networking.
The New “Good Moral Character” Policy
Beyond visa applications, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a Good Moral Character policy. Immigration officers are now tasked with reviewing not only criminal history but also:
- Applicants’ everyday conduct
- Community involvement
- Employment record
- Tax compliance
This deeper scrutiny reflects the Trump administration’s push to tighten naturalisation processes.
Nigeria’s Next Steps
According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the response will be coordinated through an inter-agency meeting involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Intelligence Agency. Officials are expected to design a holistic response mirroring Washington’s rules.
By aligning its measures with the US, Nigeria aims to ensure fairness and protect the interests of its citizens. Analysts note that reciprocity in immigration policy is a long-standing principle in international relations.
