Nigerians received 1% of the US non-immigrant visas issued in 2023, ranking 15th on the global list

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%.

Source:

US Department of State

Period:

2023
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These four countries have led African enrolment in US higher education since 2008/09 academic session
  • Ghana recorded the most striking recent growth, reaching 12,825 students in 2024/25.
  • Nigeria remained Africa’s leader with 21,847 students.
  • Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt have held the top four positions since 2008/09.
  • Their combined share of African enrolment increased from 46.1% to 60.7%.
  • Africa had 73,406 students enrolled in US higher education in 2024/25.
Morocco nearly matched South Africa in Africa’s vehicle import market in 2025
  • South Africa led with $8.52 billion, only $140 million ahead of Morocco.
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  • Egypt ranked third, followed by Algeria and Nigeria.
  • The top 10 markets accounted for 67.1% of Africa’s $56.48 billion total.
  • Road vehicle imports include vehicles, parts, motorcycles, trailers, and semi-trailers.
Nearly 89% of UK Study Visa decisions for Africans were approved, compared with 67% for visitor visas
  • The UK made 672,400 visa decisions involving African applicants in 2025.
  • Visitor visas dominated the decisions, accounting for 521,400, or about 78% of the total.
  • Study visas had the highest issue rate, with 88.5% of decisions resulting in issued visas.
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  • Work visa decisions had a 71.6% issue rate, below the global work visa average of 86.5%.
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Nigerians have spent an estimated $193 million on U.S. visitor visa application fees since 2018
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The U.S. issued Africans 820 more agricultural worker visas in Fiscal Year 2025
  • U.S. nonimmigrant visa issuances to Africans fell by 23.6% to 413,259.
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  • H2A agricultural worker visas increased by 820 to 15,623.
  • B1/B2 visitor visas recorded the biggest decline, falling by 109,653.
Southern Africa houses 6 of the top 10 African countries with the strongest passports
  • Seychelles has Africa’s strongest passport.
  • Mauritius is the only other African country with a passport close to Seychelles'.
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