U.S. Halts Visa Issuance to Nigerians
The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals 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 (EST) 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, including Angola, Benin, Cuba, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
The suspension covers nonimmigrant visas such as B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visas, as well as immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
Exemptions include:
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals using a passport from an unaffected country
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Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees
Lawful permanent residents of the US
Participants in certain major international sporting events
The US Mission stressed that the suspension only affects foreign nationals outside the US on the effective date who do not already hold a valid visa.
“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 added.
Visa applicants from affected countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but they may be denied visa issuance or admission under the new rules.
The move follows a series of US measures targeting Nigeria, including its recent inclusion on a revised travel ban list and a designation for violating religious freedom.
