From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The United States has replied the Federal Government over misconceptions regarding its new policy on nonimmigrant visas.
The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, in a post on X, said the recent reduction in visa validity for most nonimmigrant United States visas was not as a result of Nigeria’s position on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies or affiliations with groups like BRICS.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, while appearing on a Channels Television programme on Thursday, attributed the policy to Nigeria’s position not to accept Venezuelan prisoners into the country as requested by the United States Government.
But the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria further said the reduction in validity was part of an ongoing global review of the use of the United States visas by other countries, using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard United States 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,” the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria also said.
