Nigeria: Nigerians Spend N50bn On U.S. Visa Applications - Report

Nigerians spent more than N50 billion on United States visa applications between 2023 and 2024, despite a significant decline in approvals as Washington tightened immigration controls and intensified scrutiny of applicants.

An analysis of an Intelpoint report, based on data from the US Department of State, showed that 201,200 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians during the two-year period.

With a standard application fee of $185 per applicant, Nigerians spent an estimated $37.2 million, equivalent to about N50.7 billion at an average exchange rate of N1,360 to US$1

The data revealed that visa issuances fell by approximately 23 per cent, dropping from 113,900 in 2023 to 87,300 in 2024, representing a decline of 26,600 visas. Comparable figures for 2025 were not available at the time of reporting.

Business and tourism travel accounted for the bulk of approvals in 2024, with B1/B2 visas making up 83 per cent of all visas issued. Student visas (F1) represented around seven per cent, while exchange visitor visas (J1) and other temporary visa categories accounted for the remainder.

Despite the decline, Nigeria remained a key source market for the United States, contributing about 0.8 per cent of global non-immigrant visa issuances in 2024.

Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, attributed Nigerians' appetite for international travel to cultural factors rather than economic conditions alone.

"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 told reporters.

She maintained that the majority of Nigerians who travel abroad eventually return home, contrary to widespread perceptions that many remain overseas 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 said.

The decline in visa approvals coincides with a series of policy changes introduced following President Donald Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, which have gradually tightened requirements for Nigerian applicants.

In July 2025, the US Department of State announced that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians would be limited to single-entry permits valid for three months, although previously issued visas remained unaffected.

A month later, visa applicants were required to disclose all social media usernames used within the preceding five ye