The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced the decision on Monday, stating that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998. The directive is titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Visa Categories Affected
According to the statement, Nigeria is among 19 countries impacted by the measure. Others include Angola, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation places a partial suspension on several visa categories. These include B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also affects some immigrant visa categories, although limited exemptions apply.
Exemptions and Clarifications
The US Mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to all applicants. Lawful permanent residents of the United States remain exempt. Dual nationals applying with passports from non-affected countries also qualify for exemptions.
In addition, special immigrant visas for eligible US government employees and participants in major international sporting events are excluded from the restriction.
Importantly, the proclamation applies only to foreign nationals outside the United States who do not hold valid US visas as of January 1, 2026. The US government confirmed that no visas issued before the effective date will be revoked.
Growing Concerns for Nigerian Travelers
Despite the exemptions, the announcement has heightened concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study, or migrate to the US. In recent months, Washington reduced the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry visas lasting three months.
Earlier policy shifts also placed Nigeria back on the US religious freedom watchlist. Together, these measures signal tighter immigration controls ahead of 2026.
