The US has set a date to suspend visa issuance for Nigerians and other countries, confirming that a partial suspension will take effect on 1 January 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at tightening immigration controls. The announcement, released by the US Embassy in Nigeria, has sparked widespread concern among Nigerians seeking to travel to the United States for education, business, tourism, exchange programmes, or permanent residence.
Overview of the New US Visa Restrictions
According to US authorities, the suspension is being implemented under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which the White House says is designed to protect US national security and strengthen immigration enforcement. The policy affects Nigeria and 18 other countries and places limits on both immigrant and specific non-immigrant visa categories.
Visa Categories Affected
Under the new restrictions, Nigerians will no longer be permitted to enter the United States using the following visa types:
- B-1 (Business)
- B-2 (Tourism)
- B-1/B-2 (Combined Business and Tourism)
- F (Academic Students)
- M (Vocational or Non-Academic Students)
- J (Exchange Visitors)
The proclamation also extends to all immigrant visas, including those for individuals seeking to enter the US as lawful permanent residents (green card holders), except where exemptions apply.
When the Suspension Takes Effect
The US Embassy in Nigeria confirmed that the suspension will begin on 1 January 2026. Importantly, the policy applies only to foreign nationals outside the United States on that date who do not already hold a valid visa.
US officials clarified that:
- Visas issued before 1 January 2026 will not be revoked.
- Nigerians who already possess valid visas as of that date will not be affected.
Despite this clarification, the US proclamation suspending visa issuance for Nigerians and other countries has created uncertainty for thousands of prospective travelers.
Can Nigerians Still Apply for US Visas?
Visa applicants from Nigeria and other affected countries may still:
- Submit visa applications
- Attend scheduled interviews
However, applicants may be found ineligible for visa issuance or admission under the new proclamation, even after completing the application process.
READ MORE: US Travel Ban on Nigeria: Green Card and Naturalization Applications Suspended for Nigerians
Countries Affected by the Suspension
In addition to Nigeria, the visa suspension applies to nationals of the following countries:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Exemptions Under the Proclamation
Despite the broad scope of the restrictions, several exemptions apply. The proclamation does not affect:
- Lawful permanent residents of the US
- Dual nationals traveling with passports from unaffected countries
- US government employees eligible for Special Immigrant Visas
- Participants in major international sporting events
- Ethnic and religious people facing persecution in Iran
Reasons Cited by the US Government
The White House cited multiple reasons for the decision, including:
- Activities of radical Islamist groups
- Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges
- High rates of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals
- Difficulties in verifying applicants’ identities and backgrounds
US authorities also noted challenges related to:
- Fraudulent or unreliable civil documents
- Weak criminal record systems
- Widespread corruption
- Limited government control and instability in affected countries
These factors, the administration said, justify the US’s decision to suspend visa issuance for Nigerians and other countries.
Additional Measures Against Nigerians
Beyond the suspension, the Trump administration has also directed consular officers to reduce the validity period of other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians, to the extent permitted by law.
The restrictions follow the recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, amid allegations that the country supports extremist groups—claims the Nigerian government has strongly denied, describing the security crisis as complex and multifaceted.
Diplomatic Engagements Continue
Despite the new restrictions, diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States remain ongoing. High-level delegations from both countries have exchanged visits in recent weeks, focusing on Nigeria’s security situation and broader cooperation.
According to the White House, the restrictions are intended to:
- Encourage cooperation from foreign governments.
- Reduce visa overstay rates.
- Enforce US immigration laws.
- Advance national security and counterterrorism objectives.
As the US sets a date to suspend visa issuance for Nigerians and other countries, many Nigerians are closely watching whether diplomatic efforts can influence future revisions or exemptions to the policy.
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