Olushola Omogbehin
The United States has announced that it will partially suspend visa issuance to nationals of Nigeria and 18 other countries from January 1, 2026.
US Mission in Nigeria which disclosed this on Monday, said that the restriction which is in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, themed “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States” will be enforced starting from January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST.
Aiming to tightening immigration controls for national security, the policy will affect visa categories B-1/B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M, and J student/exchange visas, with specific exemptions outlined.
US Mission further stated that exemptions only exist for ethnic and religious minorities facing persection in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not subject to suspension and Special Immigrant Visa holders who are US government employees under US immigration law.
Countries that are affected include Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Gabo, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation only applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa at that time.
The embassy further emphasised that visas issued before January 1, 2026 will not be revoked, under the policy as applicants may still submit applications and attend interviews, but could be deemed ineligible.
