US Visa Crunch: Nigerians Pour Billions into Applications Amidst Dropping Approvals
Nigerians spent over N50 billion on US visa applications between 2023 and 2024, demonstrating an enduring desire for international travel despite a significant drop in visa issuances and tightening US immigration policies. These new restrictions, coupled with similar measures in the UK and Schengen states, are compelling Nigerian travelers and travel professionals to explore and pivot towards alternative global and intra-African destinations. The evolving landscape necessitates strategic adaptation within Africa's travel trade.
Nigeria's persistent demand for international travel has been sharply 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 percent 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 percent 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