By Ayomide Otitoju
The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals starting January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998 on border and national security, the US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday.
The restrictions, effective from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, are part of the proclamation 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, Gabon, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Venezuela, and others.
The measure imposes a partial suspension on nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visas, and certain immigrant visas, with limited exemptions. Exemptions apply to:
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport from an unaffected country
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for eligible US government employees
Participants in major international sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
The suspension affects only foreign nationals outside the US on the effective date without a valid US visa. “No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the US Mission clarified.
Nigerian applicants may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, but they could be deemed ineligible for issuance or entry under the new rules.
The announcement follows recent US actions affecting Nigerians, including Nigeria’s re-listing in October as a country violating religious freedom, linked to insecurity and attacks on Christian communities, and its inclusion in a revised US travel ban imposing partial entry restrictions.
