- Safiu Kehinde
The United States Mission in Nigeria has cleared the air of misconception surrounding its new non-immigrant visa policy.
NPO Reported that the US Department of States had on Tuesday announced the reduction of the non-immigrant visa to single entry with three months validity.
In reaction, the Federal Government had faulted the policy which according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect guiding the bilateral engagements between Nigeria and the US.
However, the Presidency would in a separate statement on Thursday debunked claims of President Bola Tinubu’s withdrawal of the five-year multiple entry visas for the United States’ citizens.
The statement had borne out of claim that the US had including Nigeria in the list of countries affected by the new policy over the Federal Government’s introduction of an e-Visa policy which allegedly affected U.S citizens.
Reacting to the claim in a statement issued on its official X handle on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria explained that the new visa restriction policy was not as a result of Nigeria’s introduction of e-visa policies or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
The Mission maintained that the new policy is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries in an effort to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
It expressed the US respect for the longstanding relationship and partnership with Nigeria.
The Mission reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet criteria and benchmarks laid by the new policy.
The statement read; “The U.S. Mission Nigeria wishes to address misconceptions about the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas in Nigeria and other countries.
“This reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems.
“We value our longstanding partnership with Nigeria and remain committed to working closely with the Nigerian public and government officials to help them meet those criteria and benchmarks, thereby ensuring safe, lawful, and mutually beneficial travel between our nations.