The United States has revealed plans to partially halt the issuance of visas to Nigerian citizens beginning January 1, 2026.
In a statement released on Monday, December 22, the U.S. Department of State said the suspension will cover nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visas, as well as all immigrant visa categories, subject to limited exemptions.
The move follows a new security directive issued under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Several other countries are also affected, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” specifies certain exemptions. These include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual citizens traveling on passports from non-affected countries, recipients of Special Immigrant Visas linked to U.S. government employment, participants in select major international sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
U.S. officials emphasized that the suspension applies only to individuals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not possess a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Visas issued before that date will remain valid, and no existing visas will be canceled under the policy.
The Department of State added that applicants from affected countries may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, but they could be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States under the new rules.
