The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced that it will partially suspend the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerians starting from January 1, 2026. The announcement has caused concern among many Nigerians who travel to the United States for tourism, education, business, and family reasons.
The confirmation was made on Monday night through a post on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the US Embassy. According to the statement, the action is part of a new immigration directive issued by former US President Donald Trump, now seeking to enforce stricter entry rules into the United States.
Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by the directive, which is officially known as Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” The policy is expected to take effect at exactly 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026.
Under the new policy, the US government will stop issuing certain non-immigrant and immigrant visas to nationals of the affected countries, including Nigeria. The suspension will apply mainly to:
B-1/B-2 visas, which are issued for business and tourism
F, M, and J visas, which are issued to students and exchange program participants
Most immigrant visas, which allow people to live permanently in the United States
This means that Nigerians planning to visit the US for short stays, schooling, or exchange programmes may no longer be able to apply for these visas once the policy takes effect.
However, the US government has made it clear that the suspension is partial, not total. Some groups of people will still be allowed to apply for visas under specific exceptions.
According to the statement released by the US Embassy, the following categories of people will not be affected by the suspension:
Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
Dual citizens, as long as they apply using a passport from a country not affected by the suspension
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, especially those who worked for the US government
Participants in certain major international sporting events
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
These exceptions mean that some Nigerians, especially those with dual nationality or permanent resident status, will still be able to travel to the United States.
Nigeria is not the only country affected by the new US immigration restriction. The policy applies to 18 other countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The full list includes:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Most of these countries have strong travel, educational, or migration links with the United States, making the policy a major concern for citizens and governments alike.
This is not the first time the United States has placed travel or visa restrictions on certain countries. During Donald Trump’s presidency between 2017 and 2021, similar policies were introduced under what was popularly known as the “travel ban.” Those earlier bans mainly targeted countries over security concerns, immigration control, and border enforcement.
The US government often explains such policies as measures to protect national security, control illegal migration, and ensure proper background checks for visa applicants. However, critics argue that these actions unfairly target developing countries and limit opportunities for education, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Nigeria, in particular, has a long history of migration to the United States. Many Nigerians travel to the US for higher education, business opportunities, medical care, and family visits. The Nigerian community in the US is one of the largest African immigrant groups and is known for its strong contribution to education, healthcare, and technology sectors.
The visa suspension is expected to affect thousands of Nigerians each year. Students hoping to study in American universities, families planning visits, and business owners attending meetings or conferences may all face difficulties.
Education is likely to be one of the hardest-hit areas. Many Nigerian students choose the United States because of its wide range of universities, scholarships, and research opportunities. With F and J visas affected, future students may need to consider other countries such as Canada, the UK, or Australia.
Tourism and business travel will also be affected. B-1 and B-2 visas are the most commonly issued US visas in Nigeria. Their suspension could reduce business ties and people-to-people connections between both countries.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian government has not issued an official response to the announcement. In the past, Nigerian authorities have often engaged in diplomatic talks with the US when similar restrictions were introduced.
In 2020, Nigeria was briefly placed on a US immigration restriction list, but discussions between both governments helped to ease tensions. Observers believe that similar diplomatic efforts may take place before the January 2026 deadline.
The US Embassy has advised Nigerians with urgent travel plans to apply early, before the new policy comes into effect. Those who already hold valid visas will still be allowed to travel, as the suspension mainly affects new visa issuance.