The United States will partially suspend issuing certain categories of visas to Nigerian citizens starting January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening border controls and national security.
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria announced on Monday that the restrictive measures will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, entitled “Restrictions and Restrictions on the Entry of Aliens to Protect the Security of the United States.” Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure.
Other countries listed in the declaration include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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According to the U.S. mission, the proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J visas issued to students and exchange visitors.
This restriction also applies to immigrant visas, but some categories are exempt.
The mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to all Nigerian travelers and migrants.
“Exemptions include immigrant visas issued to ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual citizens applying with passports from countries not affected by the suspension, and special immigrant visas for eligible U.S. government employees.
“Other exempt groups include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events,” the report said.
Importantly, U.S. officials emphasized that the proclamation 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.
“Aliens in the United States or who hold a valid visa as of the effective date 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,” the statement said.
Despite the new restrictions, the US mission said visa applicants from affected countries, including Nigeria, may continue to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews.
But it warned that such applicants “may not be eligible for a visa or admission to the United States” under the new rules.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent U.S. policy actions that have heightened anxiety among Nigerians seeking to travel, study, or immigrate to the United States.
In October, the US government re-added Nigeria to the list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, which US authorities have linked to persistent insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.
Following this, Nigeria was included in the United States’ revised travel ban list, imposing partial entry restrictions on Nigerian nationals.
The United States is also tightening its immigration and visa policies, which affect Nigerians more broadly.
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.
Recently, there were reports that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, may be suspended under a new executive order.
U.S. officials subsequently clarified that lawful permanent residents and holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026 will continue to be exempt and will not have their immigration status revoked.
