Clarification on U.S. Visa Waiver Programme Status for UK and Nigeria

Recent claims on social media inaccurately stated that the United States excluded the UK and Nigeria from the Visa Waiver Programme for 2025. Investigations confirmed these assertions are false; Nigeria has never been eligible, while the UK remains on the list with specific conditions. Romania was newly added in January 2025 without any changes affecting the UK or existing participants.

Recent online discussions have falsely claimed that the United States has excluded the United Kingdom and Nigeria from the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) for 2025. These assertions, particularly from an anonymous X user, have gained significant traction, amassing over 820,000 views and thousands of interactions. However, investigations reveal that the claim is inaccurate; Nigeria has never been part of the VWP, unlike the UK, which remains eligible.

The U.S. Visa Waiver Programme permits citizens from designated countries to travel to the United States without a visa for a duration of up to 90 days. A recent report by Reuters highlighted that Romania was added as a participant in January 2025, following its compliance with stringent security protocols, marking it as the 43rd country in the programme. Importantly, the UK continues to be listed among eligible nations.

Verification from the U.S. Department of State confirms that Britain remains in the VWP despite changes concerning eligibility requirements. Specifically, British citizens must possess unrestricted rights of permanent residence in the UK for VWP travel. Furthermore, clarifications regarding Taiwan’s participation in the programme have also been addressed under the Taiwan Relations Act, indicating its inclusion alongside other participating countries.

The Visa Waiver Programme was instituted in 1986 to promote tourism and business exchanges, yet Nigeria has consistently been excluded. Despite Romania’s recent integration, there are no announcements suggesting the removal of the UK or other nations currently in the programme.

In summary, the claim that the United Kingdom and Nigeria have been excluded from the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme in 2025 is unequivocally false. Nigeria has never qualified for the programme, while the United Kingdom maintains its status, albeit with enhanced eligibility conditions. Recent updates have introduced Romania as a new participant without any implication of removing existing countries from the VWP.

Original Source: www.icirnigeria.org