The United States has announced that it will partially suspend the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian nationals beginning January 1, 2026, citing border control and national security concerns.
According to a statement released on Monday by the US Mission in Nigeria, the decision is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” The restrictions will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the stated date.
Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the proclamation. Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, and Zambia.
Under the new policy, the US will impose a partial suspension on nonimmigrant visas, specifically:
- B-1/B-2 visas for business and tourism
- F and M visas for students
- J visas for exchange visitors
The proclamation also extends to immigrant visas, though with limited exceptions.
Exemptions
The suspension does not apply to:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
- Foreign nationals who already possess valid US visas issued before January 1, 2026
- Dual nationals applying with passports from non-affected countries
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, including eligible US government employees
- Participants in select major international sporting events
The US Mission clarified that no visas issued before the effective date will be revoked, stressing that holders of valid visas will remain eligible to travel to the United States.
“Foreign nationals, including those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998,” the statement noted.
Application process
Nigerian applicants may continue to submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. However, officials cautioned that applicants may ultimately be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission under the new restrictions.
Broader context
The announcement follows a series of recent US actions affecting Nigerian nationals. In October, Nigeria was relisted by Washington as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom, amid continued insecurity and attacks on Christian communities. Nigeria was also included in a revised US travel restriction framework, imposing partial entry limitations.
