We are in talks with US, UAE on new visa rules — FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has started formal engagements with the governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates following recent adjustments in their visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman of President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, the presidency confirmed that relevant Nigerian ministries, departments, and agencies are working through diplomatic channels to address the implications of the new visa rules.

According to the U.S. government, the decision to alter its visa policy for Nigerians was driven by two key concerns: the frequency of overstays by Nigerian nationals and challenges in accessing reliable identity records.

The U.S. clarified that the changes were part of a broader, routinely reviewed global visa reciprocity process, which includes variations in the number of allowable entries and visa validity periods.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed federal agencies to enhance compliance with Nigeria’s international commitments and improve cooperation mechanisms for verifying the identities of Nigerians applying for consular services abroad.

The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.

“The recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the Federal government. Relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels.

“The United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records. It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations.

“In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen *inter-governmental* cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad. The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them under the laws of those jurisdictions.

“Regarding the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government notes that it has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy. However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner.

“The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.

“The President assures all Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plank.

“He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s valued bilateral relations with the Governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.*

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