The United States has introduced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for citizens of four African countries – Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria. As part of the “global reciprocity realignment”, nearly all visas issued to these countries will be single-entry and valid for only three months.
This shift marks a significant departure from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more. In contrast, US citizens can now obtain up to one-year visas in Cameroon, 90 days in Ethiopia, and five-year multiple-entry visas have been denied to them.
The Ghanaian government has expressed “firm solidarity” with its citizens who have been affected by the change and is hoping for an “early resolution”. Nigeria’s government has also voiced concerns, describing the restriction as disproportionate and calling for reconsideration. The Nigerian government believes that cultural and educational exchanges could be hampered due to the new visa policy.
The US Department of State claims that this move is part of a broader effort to align visa policies with international standards, which include secure travel documents, managing visa overstays, and sharing security or criminal data. However, experts believe that this change reflects growing discomfort with Nigeria’s global realignment, particularly its growing ties with the BRICS group.
This shift may impact young Nigerians who seek to “Japa” (leave) their country for better opportunities in the US. Many are concerned about falling under President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policies and the potential consequences of overstaying a visa.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx23ywg9w82o