The United States has announced plans to partially suspend the issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals starting January 1, 2026.
In a statement released on Monday, December 22, the U.S. Department of State said the suspension will affect nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. All categories of immigrant visas will also be impacted, with limited exceptions.
The decision 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 not the only country affected. 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 provides specific exemptions, including 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 select major international sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
U.S. authorities clarified that the suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not possess a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Visas issued before that date will remain valid, and no previously issued visas will be revoked.
The Department of State added that affected applicants may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they could be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States under the new policy.