The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian nationals, with effect from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border control and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria disclosed this on Monday, stating that the directive will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Nigeria is listed among 19 countries affected by the measure. Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to the statement, the suspension covers nonimmigrant B-1 and B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. Certain immigrant visa categories are also affected, although limited exceptions apply.
The US Mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to all Nigerian travellers. Exemptions include lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the proclamation, and eligible US government employees applying for Special Immigrant Visas.
Other exempted groups include participants in specific major international sporting events, as well as individuals covered under humanitarian considerations outlined in the proclamation.
The US government stressed that the directive applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold valid US visas as of January 1, 2026.
It stated, “Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.”
Visa applicants from affected countries may still submit applications and attend interviews. However, the US Mission noted that such applicants may be found ineligible for visa issuance or admission under the new rules.
The development adds to growing concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study, work or migrate to the United States. In recent months, Washington has rolled out several restrictive measures affecting Nigerian travellers.
In October, Nigeria was reintroduced to the US list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, a move linked to insecurity and attacks on Christian communities. This was followed by Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised US travel restriction list, imposing partial entry limitations.
Earlier this year, the United States also reduced the validity of most nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single entry visas with a three month duration.
More recently, reports suggested that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, could face suspension under the new proclamation. US authorities have, however, maintained that lawful permanent residents and holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, remain exempt and will not have their status revoked.
