On July 11, 2025, the United States announced a major change to its non-immigrant visa policy affecting citizens of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria. Under the new rules, most visas issued to residents of these countries will be single-entry and valid for just three months, marking a significant change from the previous standard of multiple-entry validity spanning up to two years or more
According to the US Department of State, this adjustment is part of a global initiative intended to align visa requirements and terms with those each country applies reciprocally—a strategy referred to as “global reciprocity realignment”
Reactions from African Governments
- Nigeria strongly refuted the claim that it only allows single-entry three-month e-visas for Americans. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga clarified that Nigeria continues to offer five-year, multiple-entry visas to US citizens
- Cameroon and Ethiopia have not yet issued official statements, though it’s reported that US citizens can obtain visas valid up to one year in Cameroon and 90 days in Ethiopia
- Ghana’s government confirmed that over 28,500 multiple-entry visas have so far been issued to US nationals this year. They expressed hope for swift resolution and reiterated their support for citizens impacted by the US policy
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Concerns and Context
- Nigeria described the move as “disproportionate” and cautioned that it may negatively impact cultural and educational exchanges that have historically underpinned relations with the US
- The State Department maintains that visa terms will continue to be reviewed and may change in line with evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration objectives
- The restrictions are tied to benchmarks around secure travel documents, visa overstay rates, and the sharing of criminal data—standards the US says it is actively working with the affected countries to fulfill
Wider US Visa Measures
In June, the US expanded visa restrictions on citizens from Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan—suspending both immigrant and non-immigrant visas entirely .
Perspectives on Policy Drivers
- A spokesman from the US embassy in Abuja emphasized that this policy reflects adherence to technical and security benchmarks, dismissing suggestions that it was retaliation for Nigeria’s international alignments
- Nigeria ranks as Africa’s top source of international students in the US, with a notable 13.5% increase in student visas issued in 2024 compared to 2023
- Some analysts link the US policy to broader geopolitical dynamics, such as Nigeria’s engagement with BRICS. However, immigration law expert Godwin Oke frames it simply as a reciprocal adjustment to match visa terms between the nations
With Nigeria having warned that visa overstays could trigger travel bans or even prosecution, the policy change may have significant implications—particularly for the growing number of Nigerians pursuing opportunities abroad
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