by Jameelah Mullen
July 17, 2025
The brand new journey restrictions go into impact October 1, 2025.
The State Division’s determination to restrict Nigerian vacationers to three-month, single-entry visas final week has sparked outrage amongst Nigerian Individuals and immigrant communities as they attempt to regulate to this sudden coverage change.
The State Division’s motion is a part of the Trump administration’s plan to reinforce immigration controls to the USA, which features a full ban on journey from 12 nations, primarily from Africa and the Center East. These new restrictions impression nonimmigrant and nondiplomatic vacationers, who beforehand may enter the U.S. a number of instances for 5 years on every visa.
Rep. Jonathan Jackson, a Chicago-based congressman and member of the Home Overseas Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, opposes the restrictions. The Democrat mentioned how the brand new restrictions will have an effect on Nigerian immigrants within the metropolis.
“Many have deep roots right here and equally deep ties to Nigeria — household, companies and investments,” Jackson mentioned. “After we make it tougher for them to journey backwards and forwards, to handle their affairs, and even simply to go to family members, we’re not simply impacting people, we’re weakening the very bonds that enrich each our nations,” Jackson advised NBC Information.
Nigerian American Bobby Digi Olisa advised the outlet he’s involved that the brand new restrictions, which include elevated charges, would possibly stop his household, who go to him in New York annually, from getting into the nation.
Visa candidates at the moment pay a $185 price to enter the U.S. on vacationer, enterprise, scholar, or alternate visas. Beginning Oct. 1, the federal government will add a $250 Visa Integrity Charge, which is able to improve with inflation beneath the Huge Lovely Invoice Act.
The State Division cited “visa reciprocity” as the rationale for the coverage change. Nonetheless, Nigerian officers denied the claims that there’s a coverage imbalance between the 2 nations.
“Opposite to misinformation and faux information circulating on-line, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has by no means stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US residents, in accordance with the precept of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity,” the Nigerian authorities mentioned in an announcement.
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