Nigerians Spend Over ₦50bn On US Visas as Approvals Fall

Nigerians spent more than ₦50bn on United States visa applications between 2023 and 2024, even as visa approvals dropped sharply.

An analysis of the Intelpoint report, using data from the US Department of State, showed that 201,200 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians in those two years.

At a standard application fee of $185 per applicant, Nigerians spent about $37.2m, equivalent to ₦50.7bn at an average exchange rate of ₦1,360 to the dollar.

Visa issuances fell by about 23 per cent, dropping to 87,300 in 2024 from 113,900 in 2023.

This is a reduction of 26,600 visas in one year.

Business and tourism travel dominated approvals in 2024, with B1/B2 visas accounting for 83 per cent of total issuances.

Student visas (F1) represented about seven per cent, while exchange visitor visas (J1) and other temporary categories made up the rest.

Nigeria remained a significant source market for the US, accounting for about 0.8 per cent of global non-immigrant visa issuances in 2024.

US Tightens Visa Rules For Nigerian Applicants

The decline in visa issuances comes after policy changes introduced after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.

In July 2025, the US Department of State said most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerians would be restricted to single-entry permits valid for three months.

Existing visas were not affected by this change.

In August, applicants were required to disclose all social media usernames used over the previous five years on DS-160 forms.

Officials warned that omissions could lead to visa denial or ineligibility.

Further tightening followed in December 2025, when the US Mission in Nigeria said Washington expanded travel restrictions to include partial limits on Nigeria and five other countries, effective January 1, 2026.

Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, said Nigerians’ travel behaviour is driven by more than economic conditions.

“People would say it’s because of the economy, but I share a different view. Nigerians are generally migrants; they love travelling. We are like the Chinese of Africa,” Akporiaye said.

She argued that most Nigerians who travel abroad return home, and only a small proportion stay outside permanently.

“There is so much noise of Nigerians staying back. The ones who travel and return are far more than those who stay back. It’s not up to 10 per cent that don’t return,” she stated.

Akporiaye said travel demand cuts across income levels, from affluent individuals to ordinary citizens travelling for social events.

“Nigerians like to explore. We travel for birthdays, weddings, and other ceremonies. I’m not talking about people like Dangote or Otedola, but ordinary Nigerians you don’t even know,” she said.

She acknowledged that demand for US travel has softened relative to other destinations due to operational and policy constraints.

“The demand has reduced for some destinations like the US, and it’s becoming worse now. Conditional requirements and operational changes at the US Embassy in Abuja have made access more difficult, including the consolidation of services in Lagos,” she stated.

“There are stories about visas being cancelled or Nigerians getting deported, and that makes people a bit sceptical. But other destinations are still booming.”

An executive at Travel and Tours Limited, Maureen Chimaobi, said securing a US visa has become much harder over the past year.

“Last year, getting a US visa drastically reduced, especially if you are a first-time traveller or first-time applicant. It’s almost a no-go area,” Chimaobi told our correspondent.

She said applicants continue to pay fees, book appointments and attend interviews, but approvals are less predictable.

“You pay your visa fee, book your appointment and go for submission. Most of the time, they don’t give it,” the agent said.

Chimaobi said rejection levels have remained high, especially for individuals with limited international travel history.

The tougher environment is influencing destination choices, with more Nigerians turning to countries where visa approvals are seen as more attainable.

“I think most countries still offer a 70 to 80 per cent chance of getting a visa, depending on the quality of your documents and your financial status,” Chimaobi revealed.

She identified the United Kingdom as a destination with relatively stronger approval prospects, though British authorities have also hardened their assessment processes.

France and other Schengen countries, once considered more accessible, have become more selective, especially for first-time applicants.

“Before now, France used to issue visas more easily, but most Schengen countries have become difficult over time, particularly for first-time travellers,” Chimaobi said.

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