I’ve always wanted to write a piece about countries Nigerian’s can visit on a valid U.S visa. This stemmed from my personal experience with the numerous U.S visa’s I have stamped on my passport. My personal experience is that I had/have no personal experience. I’ve never visited any country outside the United States on my U.S visa. It’s such a shame looking back at the amount of times I’ve visited the U.S. Oh the new territories one could have explored! I’m clearly a better traveler now, no more watching the latest music videos all day or shopping at malls all week! Next time, I’ll surely explore one additional country my visa permits.
We got this well researched piece from my choice vacation in the mail and couldn’t wait to share with the nomad community. We appreciate the amount of work that went into this and we could not have done it any better. Did you know that you could visit South Korea with a valid U.S visa? It was a shocking discovery as well. Knowledge is indeed power. This article was first published here. You can catch up with My Choice Vacation on Instagram: @mychoicevacation| Facebook: @MyChoiceVacation
From My Choice Vacation…
Yes, you heard right and this is not a scam. Nigerian passport holder’s with valid US visas can visit 17 other countries visa-free or obtain their visas on arrival! ONE VISA, 17 COUNTRIES. And no, it is not some kinda special USA visa. It’s the regular B1/B2 multiple entry US visa.
The research involved in putting this piece together was no walk in the park. Some of my discoveries were very surprising. I assumed Nigerian passport holders had access to certain countries with their valid U.S visas. Unfortunately, these countries did not make the cut. I understand our country has a bad reputation but when did things get this bad? On some embassy websites, Nigeria was mentioned among special or restricted visa cases. This meant getting a visa to those countries would be harder for Nigerian passport holders. *side eye Indonesia*
Another heartbreaking discovery I came across during my research. Some countries boldly state that Nigerians with a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa were not to be included in the visa-free status provided for other nationalities. All that could go through my mind was, ‘Why do they have to call us out like that?” Did you know that Turks and Caicos (which is now one of the countries I will discuss below) had actually excluded Nigerians from this visa-free status some years ago? Glad things have changed now.
Passport Rankings: India vs Nigeria
Here I was thinking that there wasn’t much difference between India and Nigeria. Let the start by saying there is no comparison with regards to passport strengths. The Indian passport is ranked 74 while the Nigerian passport is sitting perfectly at 82. With an Indian passport, you can visit about 20 countries when you have a valid US visa. You can also go freely United Arab Emirates if you have a valid US visa. India has a lot of advantages due to several trade deals they have with different countries. The truth is some of my discoveries were somewhat sad and I wished for a time when international travel would become easier for Nigerians. Only if wishes were horses…
If we truly are the ‘giant of Africa’, then I believe our passport and nationality should mean something especially when it comes to ease of travel across international borders. Nevertheless, I was relieved that at no point in my research did Nigeria come up in any of the “not recognized” country lists.
It was an exciting topic of research and I learnt so much along the way. Did you know a UK or Canadian visa could also grant you the same visa exemption you can get with a valid US visa? i.e Nigerian passport holders with valid UK or Canadian visa can visit certain countries visa free! I also discovered a number of Caribbean islands where you can be granted entry without visa (if exploring by cruise). You just need to arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. Cruise holiday anyone?
Read the article to get the full picture of what you might have been missing out on! Remember that the information here can easily change, so make sure you contact the counsel/embassy office through email/phone to ensure that the exemption still applies before you embark on your trip.
Explore these 17 countries with a valid U.S Visa
Albania
What you need: Multiple entry United States/United Kingdom/Schengen Visa
What you get: Stay for up to 90 days
Belize
What you need: Valid United States or Schengen Visa
What you get: Entry into Belize
Bermuda
What you need:Multiple entry United States/United Kingdom/Canadian Visa
What you get: Entry into Bermuda
*Note that your transit or return must be via the US, UK or Canada.
Costa Rica
What you need: USA or Canadian tourist visa
What you get: Visit for up to 30 days
Dominican Republic
What you need: Valid United States/Canadian Visa
What you get: Entry to Dominican republic.However, you are required to purchase a tourist card.
Georgia (Europe)
What you need: Valid visa to 50 countries including the US.
What you get: Entry and stay in Georgia for 90 clear Calendar days in any 180-day period.
Guam
What you need: Valid United States Visa
What you get: Entry into Guam
Mexico
What you need: Tourist Visa or Permanent residence of United States/United Kingdom/Canadian/Japan/ Schengen area.
What you get: Entry into Mexico for tourism, business or transit
Montenegro
What you need: Multiple entry United States/United Kingdom/Ireland Visa
What you get: Entry and stay in Montenegro or cross its territory for up to 30 days.
Panama
What you need:Multiple entry United States/United Kingdom/Canadian/Australia Visa(which must have been used at least once).
What you get: Entry into Panama visa-free
Puerto Rico
What you need:Multiple entry United States Visa
What you get: Entry into Puerto Rico for as long as your visa is valid
Serbia
What you need:Multiple entry United States/United Kingdom/Scheghen Visa
What you get: Visa free entry to the Republic of Serbia
South Korea
What you need:South Korea is one of the unique countries on this list because of how the visa-free status works. If you are going to the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (which means you have a valid visa to either of these countries) and you plan to transit through South Korea, you can travel to South Korea. You will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days in South Korea. Also, if you plan to make a stop in another country, after a stop (via direct flight) from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (after you might have stayed legally in either of the countries)
What you get: Travel or transit through South Korea without a visa.
Turks and Caicos Islands
You do not need a visa to enter Turks and Caicos if you have a valid USA, UK or Canadian Tourist or Resident Visa.
US Virgin Islands
If you have a valid visa to the United Kingdom, United States or Canada that is still valid for up to six months, you can enter the US Virgin Islands for free. Also note that if you had used any of these visas to travel to the British Virgin Islands, you can enter the US Virgin Islands visa-free. However, it is important to note that this visa-free status only applies if your visit is 6 months or less.
Jamaica
Yes, Jamaica is on this list. A passenger on a cruise making a stop in Jamaica can visit the country. You must have a valid visa re-enter the US or the country where you started the cruise from.
Antigua and Barbuda
If you are a passenger of a cruise that is making a stop in Antigua and Barbuda, you will be allowed into the country visa-free. However, you’ll need to arrive in the morning and depart the same day.
Start Planning
So what are you waiting for? If you don’t already have a US visa, you need to apply for one so you can add any of these 17 countries to your growing. Do you know of any other countries that offer visa exemption for US visa holders that I didn’t mention? Please let me know in the comment section below. You can check out our visa free/visa on arrival list in this post.
