New travel restrictions imposed by the United States on Nigerian nationals have triggered confusion over exemptions for existing visa holders.
The suspension affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories, routes most commonly used by Nigerians, despite data showing relatively low visa overstay rates.
B visas are temporary visitors for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2), F and M visas cater to academic and vocational students, while J visas are for exchange visitors.
Diapsora NG reports that President Donald Trump signed the proclamation on Tuesday.
“The entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended,” Trump said.
The president also asked consular officers to reduce the validity for any other non-immigrant visa issued to Nigerian nationals to the extent permitted by law.
Reasons were given for the partial travel restriction imposed on 15 countries including Nigeria.
“The free operation of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain parts of the country” was first cited as reason for the restriction.
According to the White House, the situation created “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”
The White House also named an overstay rate of 5.56 percent on the B-1/B-2 visa category and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent on the F, M, and J visas as reason for the partial suspension.
However, in defining the scope, the proclamation noted that the directive does not apply to lawful permanent US residents.
It also does not cover foreign nationals who have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of the proclamation.
Athletes, dual citizens of countries not earlier restricted, and US government employees were also spared.
Earlier in July, the US embassy had announced a reduction in the validity period and entry allowance for “most” non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians, effectively limiting the legality of their stay in the US to three months with a single entry.
An alleged imbalance in visa reciprocity from Nigeria was cited as the reason for the hard-hitting penalty.
While similar restrictions initially applied to several countries including Ghana, measures were later lifted for Ghana, but Nigeria’s travel limitations remain in effect.
