The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian citizens, effective from January 1, 2026.
In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State on Monday, December 22, the suspension covers nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also applies to most categories of immigrant visas, with a few specified exemptions.
The move follows a new security directive issued under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Nigeria is among several countries affected by the measure, alongside 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,” outlines exemptions for certain groups. These include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from unaffected countries, Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees, participants in selected major international sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
U.S. officials clarified that the suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not possess valid visas as of January 1, 2026. Visas issued before that date will remain valid, and no existing visas will be cancelled under the policy.
The Department of State added that affected applicants may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but could be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States under the new rules.
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