00:00Are you planning a trip to the United States soon?
00:03Well, here's what you need to know before packing your bags.
00:06Starting from July 8, 2025, the United States government has introduced a new visa policy for Nigerians and several other countries.
00:16Under this policy, most non-immigrant visas that include tourists, students, and exchange visas are now valid for only three months and a single entry only.
00:28That means you can only visit the United States once on each visa, and you'll need to reapply if you plan another trip.
00:37The United States government says this decision was driven by two key reasons.
00:42First, the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals, and second, the need for secure and verifiable identity data from visa applicants.
00:53And no, this policy has nothing to do with Nigerians' stance on deportees, BRICS, or e-visas.
01:00If you already have a United States visa issued before July 8, 2025, your visa remains valid under the original terms.
01:09But here's something important for students and exchange applicants.
01:13Those applying for F, M, or J visas must now set their social media accounts to public as part of the vetting processes.
01:23Meanwhile, the United States mission in Nigeria has issued a stern warning, saying,
01:29If a step beyond your visa's expiration date, you could face deportation and a permanent ban from entering the United States again.
01:38In response to these changes, the Nigerian government says it is engaging constructively with both the United States and United Arab Emirates to resolve any diplomatic or procedural concerns.
01:51According to a statement from the State House, President Bola Ahmed Tsunubu has directed all federal agencies to comply with international obligations and to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation,
02:03especially in verifying the identity of Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.
02:09The federal government also confirmed that it hasn't received any formal communication on new UAE visa conditions,
02:16but says visa processes there are resuming gradually and in an orderly manner.
02:23So what is the bottom line?
02:25If you're applying for a United States visa and know that it's a single entry and only valid for three months,
02:31respect your visa terms, don't overstay.
02:34And make sure your documents, including your online profiles, meet current United States standards.
02:40What do you think about these new visa rules?
