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On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the US Embassy in Nigeria issued a statement that announced a revised visa reciprocity policy for Nigerians applying for most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas.
The F-1 (Student visa) validity period was reduced from the standard 24 months (multiple entry) to 3 months (single entry).
The news has since sparked confusion and speculation on social media, particularly as the revision has applied to other countries including Ghana, Ethiopia and Cameroon.
For instance, as of March 9, 2025, B1/B2 (Visitor visas) for Ghanaian applicants were 5 years (multiple entry), but by July 8, 2025, that has changed to 3 months (single entry).
What is visa reciprocity?
Visa reciprocity is a diplomatic policy based on equal treatment between two countries. In the context of the recent statement, it means that if Ghana offers US travellers single-entry and short-validity visas, the US will reciprocate by imposing similar conditions on Ghanaian travellers.
However, that is not the only factor that dictates visa reciprocity. Based on various statements including the statement issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria, other factors influencing visa reciprocity include secure travel documents, ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities; visa overstay rates, measures put in place to check the travelers who overstay in their visas; with the other information sharing, the willingness of a country to share security or criminal data with the other.
Longstanding diplomatic relationships and trust levels are also considered when determining visa reciprocity.
Minister of State in charge of government communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, in an interview on Asempa FM’s Eko Si Sen (1 hour 8 minutes – 1 hour 34 minutes), said that the review of visa reciprocity arrangements between the US and Ghana was due to high visa overstay rates.
“Another reason [for a review of visa reciprocity policy] is the visa overstays, especially among students, which is where Ghana is at fault. It is about our citizens who travel to the US and do not return on the expiration of their visas, especially students. If more than 16% do not return, the US takes such actions. Currently, our visa overstay rate is 21% especially for students. That is why we have been added to this list,” he said.
There is no evidence to suggest that Ghana, Nigeria or any of the mentioned countries have recently imposed 3-month similar visa validity periods for travellers holding US passports.
A 2020 press statement from Ghana’s embassies abroad shows that Ghana reviewed its visa validity regime with the US, offering American students and missionaries the option of a 3-month (single-entry) visa or a 5-year (multiple-entry) visa.
These terms seem unchanged as of July 11, 2025, and were published on Ghana’s Embassy in Washington’s website.
What has changed?
The extent of the change is slightly different in Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ethiopia.
- The change applies to most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas.
- The change takes immediate effect.
- Persons impacted are those whose visas are issued after July 8, 2025.
Recent US visa/immigration changes
Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. Government has stepped up global efforts to tighten immigration requirements.
A few hours after his swearing-in, President Trump signed six immigration-related executive orders that dominated global conversations, including an order to end birthright citizenship, which is being challenged in court.
In June 2025, the Trump administration imposed travel restrictions on over a dozen countries, including Togo, Congo, and Sierra Leone. Subsequently, a publication said there were plans to expand the restrictions to cover an additional 36 countries, including more than 20 in Africa.
Reviewing official government statements indicates that the underlying factors influencing the changing policies include concerns about terrorism, visa overstays and other forms of illegal migration, and lack of diplomatic cooperation between the US and affected countries.
It is evident that none of the countries affected by America’s visa reciprocity review was specifically targeted, as the US has either quietly or openly revised the visa terms and other immigration policies for several other nations over the past few months.
How are the countries responding?
In Nigeria, a government statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, urged the United States to “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”
The statement added that diplomatic engagements toward a resolution are ongoing.
Ghana’s Felix Ofosu Kwakye, in his interview on Asempa FM, said the government is hopeful that within 60 days, it will be able to meet the demands of the US to discourage visa overstays and be excluded from the new visa reciprocity review.
“We have a 60-day timeline to comply with their demands, but even before that [US government] statement, government officials had begun engaging them… This is a temporary restriction. They want us to engage our citizens in Ghana and those in the US to let them know the consequences of overstaying,” he said.
He added, “We have told them that they should enhance their screening process during visa processing to make sure that they are satisfied with those who will be given the opportunity to [travel to] their country [US] and will come back before issuing them the visa.”
Given that the reviewed policy goes beyond individual applicants, there isn’t much individual visa applicants can do to reverse it. However, the recent change requires that non-immigrant visa applicants plan their trips accordingly, adhere to the terms of their visas, and be abreast of developments related to immigration policies, as the rules may change at any time.
