US to suspend visa issuance for Nigerians from Jan 1, 2026

The United States government has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian nationals, effective from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security.

The US Mission in Nigeria confirmed on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

According to the statement, Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the new policy. Other listed countries include Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, The Gambia, Senegal, Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.

The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance, covering non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also affects immigrant visas, although limited exemptions apply.

The US Mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to all applicants.

Exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals applying with passports from non-affected countries, and holders of Special Immigrant Visas linked to US government employment.

Participants in certain major international sporting events are also exempted.

The statement further explained that the new rules apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid US visa as of January 1, 2026.

“Foreign nationals, including 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 under the proclamation,” the statement said.

Visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews. However, the US Mission warned that such applicants may be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or entry under the new policy.

The development comes months after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing allegations of religious persecution and security challenges.

Since then, the US government has introduced several travel-related restrictions affecting Nigerian nationals.