The United States will begin a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian citizens from January 1, 2026, under a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening US border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced the decision on Monday, stating that the measure will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by the policy. Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Under the proclamation, the US will partially suspend the issuance of nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J visas issued to students and exchange programme participants. The policy also applies to immigrant visas, though with limited exemptions.
The US Mission said in a statement:
“Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries, including Nigeria, for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions.”
US officials clarified that the restriction does not amount to a total travel ban and does not apply to all Nigerian travellers.
Exemptions include dual nationals applying with passports from countries not covered by the proclamation, lawful permanent residents of the United States, and holders of valid US visas issued before the effective date.
Also exempted are Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants eligible due to employment with the US government, as well as participants in select major international sporting events.
The US government stressed that the measure applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on January 1, 2026, and who do not possess a valid US visa as of that date.
“Foreign nationals who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998,” the statement said. “No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.”
Visa applicants from affected countries, including Nigeria, may still submit applications and attend scheduled interviews. However, the mission warned that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States” under the new rules.
The development is expected to significantly affect Nigerians seeking to travel to the US for tourism, education, exchange programmes or migration, and has already sparked concern among prospective students and families.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent US policy actions that have tightened immigration and visa access for Nigerians. In October, the US government re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom, citing persistent insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.
Nigeria was also included on a revised US travel restriction list imposing partial entry limitations. Earlier in the year, the validity of most nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas valid for three months.
More recently, reports suggested that certain immigrant visa categories, including green cards, could face suspension under the new proclamation. US authorities, however, have reiterated that lawful permanent residents and holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, remain unaffected.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response to the latest announcement.