Recent changes to the Visa Reciprocity Schedule have a significant impact on the use and validity of U.S. nonimmigrant visas for nationals of four African countries. The changes could affect the feasibility of business and personal travel for nonimmigrants residing in the United States.
Quick Hits
- The Visa Reciprocity Schedule has been updated for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.
- The validity of most nonimmigrant visas for citizens of these countries has been reduced to just three months and the visas will be valid for a single entry.
- The original validity and status of nonimmigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will not change.
The U.S. Department of State revised the Visa Reciprocity Schedule for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria. As a result of these changes, most nonimmigrant and nondiplomatic visas issued to nationals of these countries will have a limited validity of three months and will be valid for just a single entry. While the changes are effective immediately, they will not retroactively impact the validity of nonimmigrant visas that were issued prior to this date.
These changes could have a significant impact on nonimmigrant visa holders who travel regularly, as these individuals will now be required to apply for a new nonimmigrant visa as part of every international trip.
Visa reciprocity refers to the practice by which the United States grants visa privileges to citizens of another country based on how that country treats U.S. citizens in its own visa issuance process. Visa reciprocity is typically aimed at facilitating tourism, business, and cultural exchange between the two countries; however, one country may make unilateral changes based on immigration policy or diplomatic interests.
For citizens of most countries, U.S. nonimmigrant visas are valid for at least one to two years and can be used for multiple entries. A nonimmigrant visa serves as a travel document and does not dictate a visa holder's period of authorized stay in the United States.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides an up-to-date Visa Reciprocity Schedule broken down by country and nonimmigrant visa type. The Visa Reciprocity Schedule includes information about the visa validity period, the number of entries permitted on a single visa, and the applicable visa issuance fee for U.S. visa applicants based on an applicant's nationality.
Next Steps
Nonimmigrant visa holders and applicants may consider reviewing the Visa Reciprocity Schedule in advance of scheduling a visa appointment to ensure they are apprised of any nonimmigrant visa validity changes or updated fee requirements.
Ogletree Deakins' Immigration Practice Group will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the Immigration blog as additional information becomes available.
This article and more information on how the Trump administration's actions impact employers can be found on Ogletree Deakins' New Administration Resource Hub.
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