The United States has suspended all visa services at its embassy in Niamey, amid unresolved diplomatic issues with the Niger government, according to a report citing a U.S. State Department spokesperson and an internal cable dated July 25.
The suspension, which affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, will remain in effect indefinitely. However, diplomatic and official visas are largely exempt from the restrictions.
While the cable did not elaborate on the exact nature of the “issues” between Washington and Niamey, it also instructs U.S. consular officers in other countries to apply “heightened scrutiny” to visa applications from Nigerien nationals. Notably, the directive cites overstay rates of 8 per cent for tourist visa holders and a concerning 27 per cent for student and exchange visa categories.
This move comes weeks after the U.S. Embassy in neighbouring Mali announced a new visa directive that sparked reactions among Malian applicants. As part of a broader policy shift affecting multiple countries, including Mali, the United States now requires applicants for certain non-immigrant visas, specifically F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) categories, to make all their social media accounts public as a condition of their application.
The policy has prompted backlash from students and civil society in Mali, who argue it invades personal privacy and places additional burdens on legitimate applicants. While the U.S. has maintained that these measures align with national security priorities, critics argue that such policies risk alienating young, educated populations in West Africa, many of whom seek educational and cultural exchange opportunities in the United States.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the United States Department of State has also issued a major policy update, announcing that most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry only and valid for a period of three months.
Read Also: Niger Triples Oil Revenue in Four Years, After Cutting Ties with France
Why Shipping Between African Countries Is More Expensive Than Trading With Europe or Asia
Leave a comment