10.7 million US non-immigrant visas were issued in 2023, 36% more than in 2022, with Mexicans receiving nearly 23% of the total. The top five countries received more than half of the total issuances. Nigeria — 15th on the list — received 1%.
The number of non-resident visitors to Nigeria fell sharply in 2020 to the lowest level in 25 years. This sudden downturn was a contrast to the years between 1995 and 2010 when Nigeria's tourism sector experienced an amazing upswing.
Nigeria saw a record high of 6.1 million non-resident visitors in 2010, highlighting the country's increasing appeal as a travel destination. A remarkable spike in arrivals of 5.24 million in 2007 made the year stand out.
The global pandemic in 2020, however, caused a significant decline, with just 1.21 million visitors — the lowest number since 1996.
In the US fiscal year 2022, 26% of Nigerians who applied for a US visitor visa were denied, marking the lowest refusal rate in 17 years. After a steady refusal rate of between 32% and 38% from 2007 to 2015, there was an increase to 67% over four consecutive years.
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