The Presidency says President Bola Tinubu has never stopped Issuance of Five -Year Multiple-Entry Visas for U.S. Citizens, in accordance with the Principle of Subsisting Bilateral Agreements and Reciprocity.

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The clarification is contained in a Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.

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He described the Reports as false and misleading, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to existing Bilateral Agreements and Diplomatic Reciprocity.

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Onanuga noted that immediately after assuming Office, President Tinubu  directed that Nigeria implement all Bilateral Agreements with other Nations and adhere to the Principle of Reciprocity in Diplomatic Relations.

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He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had clarified Nigeria’s position following the U.S. Government’s recent Adjustment of its Non-Immigrant Visa Policy toward Nigerians.

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The Presidential Aide said that Senior Officials would continue engaging with the U.S. to address Restrictive Policies based on Mutual Respect and Partnership.

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”We want to reiterate that the U.S. Government’s claim of Reciprocity as the reason for its current Visa Policy toward Nigeria does not accurately reflect the actual situation.

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”The Nigerian Government has not deviated from granting U.S. Citizens a Five-Year Multiple-Entry Non-Immigrant Visa, just as the U.S. has continued to grant the same to Nigerians,” Onanuga stated.

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He clarified that 90-Day Single-Entry Visas only apply to the newly introduced e-Visa Category.

‎”This Category targets Tourists and Business Visitors who prefer quicker, less cumbersome Visa Processing.”

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He said the e-Visa replaced the outdated Visa-on-Arrival, which was inefficient and prone to abuse.

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”The e-Visa is a fast, Online Process that does not require the Applicant to go to the Embassy. Applicants receive the e-Visa within 48 hours of submitting their Application.”

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He said the Policy aligned with President Tinubu’s Agenda to promote Trade, Tourism, and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

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He noted that many Countries have already adopted similar Digital Visa Processes.

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In spite of Nigeria offering e-Visas to U.S. Citizens, Onanuga pointed out the U.S. has yet to reciprocate.

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He assured that the Tinubu-led Administration would continue to Dialogue and engage with U.S. Authorities to resolve Issues that led to the recent development.

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The U.S. Government in it’s recent Revised Visa Policy for Nigerian Citizens, reduced Non-Immigrant and Non-Diplomatic Visa Categories—such as B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business), F (Student), and J (Exchange)—to Single-Entry, Three-Month Validity.

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This marked a sharp departure from the previous Two- to Five-Year Multiple-Entry Visas that Nigerians were eligible to receive.

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The changes took immediate effect, although existing Visas issued before July 8 remain valid until their original expiration.

The U.S. Government noted that Visa Reciprocity was a Global Standard that undergoes regular Review and can be adjusted at any time, including changes in Permitted Entries and Duration of Validity.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline