The United States government has announced plans to partially suspend the issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals, effective January 1, 2026.
The decision was disclosed in a statement released on Monday, December 22, by the U.S. Department of State. According to the statement, the suspension will affect nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It will also apply to all categories of immigrant visas, subject to limited exemptions.
The measure follows a new security directive issued under Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Nigeria is among several countries affected by the policy. Others listed 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.
The proclamation outlines specific exemptions to the suspension. These include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the directive, Special Immigrant Visa holders who worked with the U.S. government, participants in select major international sporting events, and lawful permanent residents of the United States.
U.S. authorities clarified that the suspension will apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States as of the effective date and who do not possess a valid visa issued before January 1, 2026. Officials stressed that visas issued prior to that date will remain valid and will not be revoked under the new policy.
The Department of State added that affected applicants may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. However, such applicants may ultimately be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States under the proclamation.