Nigerians Spent N50 Billion on US Visa Applications in Two Years as Approval Rates Plummeted
Nigerians spent over N50 billion on US visa applications between 2023 and 2024, even as approvals dropped 23% in a single year, exposing the gap between demand and access.
Nigeria's persistent demand for international travel has been highlighted by the revelation that its citizens collectively spent over N50 billion on United States visa applications between 2023 and 2024.
This significant expenditure, equivalent to approximately 37.2 million US dollars at an average exchange rate of N1,360 to the dollar, comes from an Intelpoint report drawing on US Department of State data.
It unequivocally demonstrates a market still deeply committed to global mobility, even as the US implements stricter immigration policies and approval rates continue to decline. During this two-year period, 201,200 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians, each incurring a standard fee of 185 US dollars.
The analysis also revealed a notable downturn in visa issuances, experiencing a sharp 23% fall from 113,900 in 2023 to 87,300 in 2024, marking a reduction of 26,600 visas in just twelve months. Data for 2025 was not yet available at the time of reporting.
Business and tourism travel, primarily B1/B2 visas, constituted the vast majority of approvals, accounting for 83% of all visas issued in 2024. Student visas (F1) made up about seven percent, with exchange visitor visas (J1) and other temporary categories comprising the remainder.
Despite the decline, Nigeria remained a substantial contributor to global visa flows, representing approximately 0.8 percent of all US non-immigrant visa issuances in 2024.
Industry experts in Nigeria suggest that the underlying motivation for this travel demand extends beyond purely economic factors.
Susan Akporiaye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, emphasized a strong cultural disposition among Nigerians, describing them as people who naturally love to travel and explore opportunities abroad.
She noted that many Nigerians continue to pursue international travel for business, education, tourism, and family-related reasons despite rising costs and stricter immigration requirements.
The figures highlight a sustained appetite for global mobility among Nigerians, even as US visa approvals decline. While the drop in issuances may reflect tighter screening and immigration policies, the more than N50 billion spent on visa applications over two years underscores the determination of many Nigerians to maintain access to international opportunities and connections.