Despite diplomatic requests from the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the United States has not yet lifted the recent visa restrictions placed on specific Nigerian nationals.
“Engages are ongoing but the policy is yet to be reversed so far,” ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa told stated on Wednesday.
Given that the United States has not formally responded to Nigeria’s request for a review, the development implies that the visa restrictions might stay in effect.
Certain non-immigrant visas, such as those falling under the B1/B2 (business and tourist), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) categories, have their validity limited to three months with single-entry access after the US government updated its visa reciprocity timetable for Nigeria.
In a statement released last month, the Federal Government voiced its alarm over what it called Washington’s disproportionate response.
It said that the action went against the reciprocity and equity that friendly countries are supposed to uphold.
The administration also cautioned that families, professionals, and students who are authorized travelers may suffer as a result of the changes.
The statement urged the US to act in the spirit of respect for one another and the two nations’ long-standing bilateral ties, calling for a reexamination of the penalties.
The Federal Government insisted that the move may jeopardize cultural and educational exchanges, which have long been a cornerstone of US-Nigeria relations, even as it acknowledged the US’s sovereign right to determine its immigration rules.
