Nigerians spent more than US$37 million (about 50.7 billion naira) on United States visa applications between 2023 and 2024, despite a notable decline in approvals following tighter immigration controls introduced by Washington, according to an analysis of official data.
The figures, based on Intelpoint research using US Department of State statistics, show that 201,200 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerian applicants over the two-year period.
At the standard application fee of US$185 per applicant, total spending on visa applications amounted to approximately US$37.2 million, equivalent to about 50.7 billion naira at an average exchange rate of 1,360 naira to the dollar during the period.
The data also indicates a sharp decline in visa issuances, which fell by about 23 percent in 2024. A total of 87,300 visas were issued in 2024, down from 113,900 in 2023, representing a reduction of 26,600 approvals.
Despite the drop, Nigeria remained one of the major African source markets for US travel. The country accounted for around 0.8 percent of global non-immigrant visa issuances in 2024, underscoring sustained demand for travel to the United States.
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Business and tourism visas dominated approvals, with B1/B2 categories accounting for about 83 percent of total issuances in 2024. Student visas (F1) made up roughly 7 percent, while exchange visitor visas (J1) and other temporary categories accounted for the remainder.
The decline in approvals comes amid a series of policy adjustments and tighter screening measures introduced by US authorities following the return of President Donald Trump to office in January 2025.
In July 2025, the US Department of State announced that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens would be restricted to single-entry permits valid for three months, while existing visas remained unaffected.
A further tightening followed in August, when applicants were required to disclose all social media usernames used over the previous five years on DS-160 application forms. US officials warned that failure to provide accurate information could result in visa denial or future ineligibility.
The measures have added to the administrative burden facing Nigerian applicants, contributing to what industry stakeholders describe as a more restrictive and complex visa process.
Former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, said Nigerians’ strong demand for international travel is driven not only by economic factors but also by cultural and social preferences.
“People would say it’s because of the economy, but I share a different view. Nigerians are generally migrants; they love travelling,” she said.
Akporiaye argued that travel patterns span all income groups, ranging from affluent individuals to ordinary citizens travelling for social events such as weddings and birthdays.
“Nigerians like to explore. We travel for birthdays, weddings, and other ceremonies,” she said, adding that a large proportion of travellers eventually return home.
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She estimated that fewer than 10 percent of Nigerians who travel abroad remain overseas permanently, countering perceptions of widespread permanent migration.
However, she acknowledged that demand for US travel has softened compared to other destinations, citing stricter requirements and operational changes at US diplomatic missions in Nigeria.
According to her, recent adjustments, including the consolidation of visa services in Lagos and increased scrutiny at the US Embassy in Abuja, have made access more difficult for applicants.
“The demand has reduced for some destinations like the US, and it’s becoming worse now,” she said.
The report highlights both the resilience of Nigerian outbound travel demand and the financial burden placed on applicants, even as approval rates decline under tighter immigration policies and evolving diplomatic procedures.
