{"id":120525,"date":"2025-07-10T19:01:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T18:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=120525"},"modified":"2025-07-10T19:01:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T18:01:21","slug":"visa-restriction-tinubu-did-not-stop-five-year-visa-to-us-citizens-presidency-clarifies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/visa-restriction-tinubu-did-not-stop-five-year-visa-to-us-citizens-presidency-clarifies\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa Restriction: Tinubu did not stop five-year visa to US citizens \u2013 Presidency clarifies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
By Myke Agunwa, Abuja<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Contrary to misinformation and fake news circulating online, President Bola Tinubu has never stopped issuing 5-year multiple-entry visas for US citizens, in accordance with the principle of subsisting bilateral agreements and reciprocity, the Presidency has stated.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
President Donald Trump of the United States recently introduced a visa restriction policy targeting countries, including Nigeria, that failed to meet U.S. security and information-sharing standards. The policy, enacted under Executive Order 13780, aimed to prevent terrorism and identity fraud by restricting travel from nations deemed non-compliant.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The policy culminated in visa bans or limitations for citizens of affected countries, particularly those unable to verify travelers\u2019 identities or share adequate criminal and security data. Nigeria was on the list over certain illegularities like passport fraud and overstay issues. Though not a full travel ban for Nigerians, the policy marked a tightening of U.S. immigration controls during Trump\u2019s presidency.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga in a series of tweets in his X handle on Thursday who debunked that Nigeria had earlier reduced visa validity on some US citizens stated that immediately after assuming office, President Tinubu’s administration issued a service-wide directive that Nigeria implement all bilateral agreements with other nations and adhere to the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
He stated that The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly stated the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria on the recent adjustment made by the United States’ non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerians.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
He assured that The Ministry and other senior government officials will continue to engage with the United States to address the unfavourable restrictions in a just and fair manner that reflects the mutual respect and partnership that so exist between our two friendly nations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWe want to reiterate that the US government’s claim of reciprocity as the reason for its current visa policy towards Nigeria does not accurately reflect the actual situation.<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Nigerian government has not deviated from granting US citizens a 5-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, just as the US has continued to grant the same to Nigerians.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe 90-day single-entry Visa validity period only applies to the newly introduced e-Visas, a short-term visa category for tourists and business people who may not wish to undergo the standard visa application process and wait. The e-visa replaces the now obsolete Visa-on-arrival, which was inefficient and often used as a means of extortion. 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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe e-visa policy aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to boost investment, trade, and tourism in the country, as well as promote the ease of doing business for non-nationals. Moreover, e-visas are a widely adopted global policy in dozens of countries.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cAlthough Nigeria has an e-visa policy for citizens of the US and several other countries, the US has not reciprocated this gesture for Nigerians\u201d Onanuga said.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Presidential mouthpiece added that in the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, and partnership that have characterised the relationship between Nigeria and the United States over the decades, the Tinubu-led administration will continue to dialogue and engage with US authorities to resolve any issues that have led to the recent developments.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n