iDeemlawfulThe United States will partially halt the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian citizens beginning January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation focused on border control and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
According to the mission, Nigeria is among 19 countries impacted by the directive.
The other affected nations are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation introduces a partial suspension covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, alongside F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also extends to immigrant visas, subject to limited exemptions.
The US Mission clarified that the measure does not apply universally.
Exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not listed under the suspension, and Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees.
Additional exemptions cover lawful permanent residents of the United States and individuals participating in specific major international sporting events.
The US government emphasised that the proclamation applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not possess a valid US visa as of January 1, 2026.
“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement read.
Visa applicants from countries affected by the directive may still submit applications and attend scheduled interviews.
However, the US Mission cautioned that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States” under the new framework.
In recent weeks, a series of restrictive measures by the United States has intensified concerns among Nigerians planning to travel, study or migrate to the country.
In October, Washington reinstated Nigeria on its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, a decision officials attributed to ongoing insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.
This development was followed by Nigeria’s placement on a revised US travel ban list, introducing partial entry restrictions on Nigerian nationals.
The US has also tightened immigration and visa regulations affecting Nigerians.
Earlier this year, American authorities shortened the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry permits valid for three months.
More recently, reports suggested that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, could face suspension under a new presidential proclamation. US officials, however, clarified that lawful permanent residents and holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, are exempt and will not have their status withdrawn.