US Increases Tourist Visa validity To Five Years For Nigerians as citizens of the largest African country jubilate.
The United States (US) has extended tourist visa for Nigerians to 5 years. This is following a bilateral consular agreement between Nigeria and US.
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Nigerians who want to enter the US on a tourist visa can now enjoy the stay for five years.
Confirming the development in a statement on Friday, Sola Fasure, spokesperson to the Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the new policy take effect from March 1, 2023.
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According to her, the policy applies to diplomats and government officials as well as anybody applying for tourist visas.
The bilateral consular agreement:
The US increased the tourism visa stay from two years to five years.
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Consequently, the Nigerian government reciprocated the gesture for all US citizens wishing to visit Nigeria.
While the initial tourism visa was two years in the US, for Nigeria, it was previously just 90 days for tourism visas.
The statement reads thus:
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the United States of America with effect from 1st March, 2023.”
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“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the directive following the approval.”
She added that the directive was “for the implementation of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the governments of Nigeria and the United States of America.
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“The agreements amongst others include: The reciprocity of five (5) year tourist visa validity for American citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015;
“and extension of visa validity to three (3) years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the United States of America.”
Speaking further, the spokesperson said thus:
“Consequently, the Minister of Interior has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to start the implementation of the policy from 1st March 2023.
“Nigerians will recall that President Muhammadu Buhari launched the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NPV) in 2020, which amongst other things promotes tourism.
“Tourist Visa falls under the Short Visit Visa (F5A) category. This policy is in line with Mr.
“President’s desire to boost cultural exchange and business between both nations.
“As part of the Bilateral Agreement, the United States of America will implement a similar policy for Nigerians.
The policy will be for Nigerians “wishing to travel on Tourist Visas to the United States and for our diplomats and officials visiting the country.
“The United States will thus extend Tourist Visa Validity for Nigerian citizens to five (5) years.”
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