The United States is set to partially suspend visa issuance for certain categories of Nigerian nationals from January 1, 2026, according to a new presidential proclamation on border and national security. This move has sparked concerns among Nigerians planning to travel, study, or migrate to the U.S. The restriction will affect nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as some immigrant visas, with limited exceptions. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced the suspension will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time, aligning with Presidential Proclamation 10998, which aims to protect U.S. security. However, the U.S. government emphasizes that the proclamation only applies to foreign nationals outside the U.S. on the effective date and without a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026. Exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals with passports from unaffected countries, and Special Immigrant Visas for eligible U.S. government employees. Other exemptions cover lawful permanent residents, participants in major international sporting events, and visa applicants from affected countries who can still submit applications and attend interviews, though they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission under the new rules. This announcement follows a series of recent restrictive measures by the U.S., including adding Nigeria to its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom and imposing partial entry restrictions on Nigerian nationals. The U.S. has also tightened immigration and visa policies for Nigerians, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month durations. These actions have heightened concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study, or migrate to the U.S., raising questions about the impact on their plans and the potential for further restrictions.
