Claims suggesting that the United States has excluded the UK, Nigeria, and others from its visa waiver program for 2025 are false. Nigeria has never been part of this program, while the UK remains included with specific conditions. Romania’s recent addition as the 43rd country to the program has been confirmed, contradicting the erroneous claims circulating online.
On March 4, 2025, the claim emerged on social media, alleging that the United States had excluded the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and other nations from the visa-free entry for 2025. This post gathered significant attention, with over 820,000 views, and more than 6,000 likes. Such misinformation regarding the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) requires careful examination and verification.
Investigations by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claims are misleading. Nigeria has never been included in the U.S. VWP, while the United Kingdom (UK) has consistently been part of the program. The VWP enables citizens from qualifying countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for a duration of up to 90 days.
A report from Reuters in January 2025 announced Romania’s inclusion in the program, marking the nation as the 43rd country in the waiver scheme. This move aimed to enhance diplomatic relationships after Romania met specific security criteria. Examining the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website confirmed that the UK remains on the list of eligible countries and has not been excluded.
However, the eligibility under the VWP has experienced updates that impact both the UK and Taiwan. For the UK, eligibility extends specifically to individuals holding an unrestricted right of permanent abode. For Taiwan, U.S. laws referencing foreign countries also encompass Taiwan, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, ensuring that it retains the privileges associated with the VWP.
Since the program’s inception in 1986, Nigeria has not been a participant. The recent updates show Romania’s addition but lack any indication that the UK or other listed countries have been removed from the program.
In conclusion, the assertion regarding the exclusion of the United Kingdom and Nigeria from the U.S. visa waiver programme for 2025 is unfounded. Nigeria has never been a part of this programme, while the United Kingdom continues to participate with revised eligibility conditions. The clarity provided by verification from authoritative sources emphasizes the importance of accurate information dissemination regarding international travel policies.
Original Source: www.icirnigeria.org
