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.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 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.
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.
We 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.
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Although Nigeria has an e-visa policy for citizens of the US and several other countries, the US has not reciprocated this gesture for Nigerians.
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.
Ok so the e-visa only grants 90 days single entry to Nigeria? If so then US has reciprocated, what are they on about??
ReplyDeleteOk so the e-visa only grants 90 days single entry to Nigeria? If so then US has reciprocated, what are they on about??
ReplyDeleteThe United States government has not reciprocated but instead reacted to a poorly communicated development by the Nigerian government.
DeleteWe should learn as, a people, to communicate properly. (Talking to myself)
A short communiqe about the e-Visa without ANY reference to the current visa agreements would have pre-empted the hostile reaction from Washington.
This is not accurate.
ReplyDeleteAs with all things Nigeria, it is VERY difficult to get a 🇳🇬visa by someone without a valid Nigerian passport as an American. Their “agents” collect “bribe” or “service fees” and all sorts of fees, exhibiting zero customer service in the process. My Nigerian passport expired and I have been trying to visit Nigeria. The woman I was first referred to in Chicago, one Adanmma Events is so rude she practically yells at you and insults you for wanting to get any service from BVN, to NIN to a Nigerian Passport. On top of her own “service fees” making you wonder what “connection” or “long leg” they have in Nigeria for them to become appointed “agents” in the US. I finally got referred to someone else in Texas who collected less but still has my US passport till today. No Nigerian visa yet. I paid over $500 in addition to other costs. The Nigerian factor aka inefficiency and bribery is in play. Renewing Nigerian passport is even longer and more expensive so I was advised to just get a visa. I couldn’t attend my mom’s last service as it wasn’t even possible to just apply for a new Nigeria passport. Many in Nigeria won’t believe it.
Do you also know that if you marry a Nigerian man as a woman you cannot become a Nigerian passport holder for 15 years? If the US and other countries start to reciprocate this policy, many will make noise.
Fix Nigeria, reduce bribery, corruption in your systems and stop blaming others when they reciprocate your informal policies.
Extra has arrived. For any visa application B1,B2, tourist visa, business visa,you pay visa integrity fee of $250
DeleteMy mum is 😱😲😲😲😲😲😲
Trump eeeee😱😱😲😲😲😲😲
Thank you for sharing. You have just saved my family from avoidable stress.
Delete@Anonymous 00:30
DeleteDo you imply that the Visa integrity fee is a Security fee to ensure the applicant returns to his/her home country?