The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a reminder on the implementation of visa restrictions affecting foreign nationals from 19 countries, including Nigeria, effective from January 1, 2026.
The update was shared on Wednesday via the embassy’s official X account.
According to the embassy, the measure is in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 and remains in force.
In its post, the embassy stated, “Reminder to Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants: Effective January 1, 2026, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,’ the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of Nigeria for B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas.”
Recall that on December 19, 2025, the United States announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries. The affected countries include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The suspension applies to non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas.
However, the US government outlined several exemptions to the policy. These include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not subject to the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for eligible US government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D), participants in certain major sporting events, and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).
US embassy gives update on visa restriction on Nigeria, other countries
