The United States has announced a partial suspension of the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals, effective from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria said the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time under Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure. Others include Angola, Benin, Cuba, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
According to the US Mission, the suspension covers some nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visas, as well as certain immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
The exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals travelling with passports from countries not affected by the restriction, Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees, lawful permanent residents of the United States, and participants in selected major international sporting events.
The mission clarified that the policy applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not already hold valid visas.
“Foreign nationals holding valid visas as of January 1, 2026, will not be affected. No visas issued before that date will be revoked,” the statement said.
It added that visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews, but issuance or admission into the United States may be denied under the new rules.
The development follows a series of recent US actions affecting Nigeria, including its inclusion on a revised travel restriction list and a designation related to alleged violations of religious freedom.
