The US mission to Nigeria said Nigerian students and exchange visitors with valid visas are not affected by the partial visa suspension under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Mission made this clear in a post to X on Monday.
“Nigerian students and exchange participants with currently valid F1 and J1 visas are not affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998. Students and exchange participants with visas can continue to contribute to learning, research, and innovation at U.S. universities and institutions.”
This clarification comes in advance of the January 1, 2026 implementation of Presidential Proclamation 10998, entitled “Restrictions and Restrictions on the Entry of Aliens to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Contents of the declaration
Under this proclamation, the United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian citizens starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026.
The scope of suspension is as follows:
Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas F, M, J student visas and exchange visitor visas immigrant visas (with limited exceptions)
However, U.S. officials stressed that the measure applies only to foreign nationals who were outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.
Officials also said, “Aliens holding valid visas as of the effective date, even outside the United States, are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. Visas issued before 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026 have not been or will be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.”
As of December 2025, Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the partial suspension, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In recent months, the United States has introduced a series of immigration-related measures that impact Nigerians. Earlier this year, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas with a validity of three months.
In October, the US government added Nigeria to the list of countries accused of violating religious freedom. This was followed by Nigeria’s inclusion on the revised US travel restriction list imposing partial entry restrictions.
PUNCH Online reports that this latest clarification from the US mission is expected to address concerns of Nigerian students and exchange participants about whether existing F1 and J1 visas will remain valid after the declaration takes effect.
For now, the mission has confirmed that currently valid F1 and J1 visa holders can continue their studies and exchange programs in the United States.
The mission warned in early February that visa overstays by Nigerian travelers could negatively impact opportunities for other nationals wishing to travel to the United States.
F-1 visa: Available to international students enrolled in a full-time academic program at a U.S. school or university.
J-1 visa: For exchange visitors (including students, researchers, and interns) participating in an approved educational or cultural exchange program in the United States
