Ghana and Nigeria have voiced strong concerns over the United States’ abrupt decision to slash visa validity for their citizens, calling for urgent diplomatic dialogue to restore what they described as previously respected reciprocal arrangements.
The move, announced by the US government as part of a broader overhaul of its 2025 “reciprocity calendar,” reduces the validity of B1/B2, F, and J non-immigrant visas for several African nations — including Ghana and Nigeria — from five years to just three months, and limits them to single entries.
In a statement issued on Friday, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged Washington’s sovereign right to revise its immigration policies, but noted that the current restrictions mark a sharp departure from long-standing mutual agreements.
“Ghana recognizes the sovereign right of each country to determine its visa regime, but emphasizes that the current limitations imposed by the United States deviate significantly from reciprocal arrangements,” the ministry stated, expressing solidarity with affected Ghanaian travelers — including businesspeople, students, tourists, and patients — whose plans have been disrupted.
The ministry added that Accra remains committed to resolving the matter amicably and is exploring diplomatic options while addressing US concerns, including visa overstays by some Ghanaian nationals.
Nigeria issued a similarly pointed response on July 9.
Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the US decision as inconsistent with the principles of fairness, mutual respect, and reciprocity that underpin relations between partner countries.
“This restriction imposes a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travelers, including students, professionals, families, and participants in cultural and educational exchanges,” said ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
“While recognizing the sovereign right of each country to determine its immigration policies, Nigeria respectfully urges the United States to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership.”
The controversy emerges just as five African leaders — from Senegal, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Liberia — were hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House for high-level talks on economic cooperation and diplomatic ties.
According to Ghanaian diplomatic sources, their embassies in Washington and New York issued 40,648 visas to US citizens this year, including nearly 29,000 multiple-entry visas.
US passport holders are typically granted five-year, multiple-entry visas under Ghana’s standard policy.
Both Accra and Abuja say they hope for a swift resolution to preserve the mutual benefits of their longstanding bilateral relationships with Washington.
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