Fact Checking: U.S. Visa Waiver Programme Remains Intact for the UK, Nigeria Not Included

Misinformation claims that the U.S. is excluding the UK and Nigeria from its Visa Waiver Programme for 2025 have been debunked. Nigeria was never part of the program, while the UK remains eligible under certain conditions. A focus on these updates clarifies the ongoing accuracy of the VWP’s participant list.

Recent misinformation circulated on social media claimed that the United States intends to exclude the United Kingdom and Nigeria from its Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) for 2025. The post, shared on the platform X by user @nigeriastories, suggested a significant policy change, amassing substantial engagement, including over 820,000 views and around 6,000 likes as of March 4, 2025.

However, investigations by The FactCheckHub have determined that this claim is unfounded. Nigeria was never included in the VWP, while the United Kingdom remains eligible for visa-free travel to the U.S. The VWP allows citizens of certain countries to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.

A January 2025 report by Reuters revealed Romania’s inclusion in the VWP, marking it as the 43rd participant as part of U.S. efforts to foster diplomatic relations. Verification from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs confirmed that the United Kingdom still qualifies under the VWP. It is important to note that eligibility for British citizens requires an unrestricted right to reside in the UK.

Furthermore, recent adjustments specifically regarding Taiwan have clarified its status under the visa program, reaffirming U.S. policies and relations. Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has not included Nigeria, contrary to the claims made. The absence of communication from U.S. authorities regarding the removal of the UK from the program underscores the inaccuracy of the original post.

In conclusion, it is accurate to say that the assertion about the exclusion of the United Kingdom and Nigeria from visa-free entry to the U.S. for 2025 is false. Nigeria has never been a part of the VWP, while the UK continues to participate, albeit with specific criteria for eligibility.

In summary, the false claim regarding the United Kingdom and Nigeria’s exclusion from the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme for 2025 has been debunked. The United Kingdom continues to be eligible, subject to certain conditions, and Nigeria has never been included in the program. This situation emphasizes the need for critical evaluation of information disseminated on social media platforms.

Original Source: www.icirnigeria.org