Femi Ashekun/
The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian nationals, placing Africa’s most populous country among 19 nations affected by new immigration restrictions introduced by the administration of President Donald Trump.
In a statement released by the US Embassy in Abuja on Monday, the Department of State said the measure will take effect from 12.01am Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which seeks to restrict and limit the entry of certain foreign nationals on security grounds.
Under the proclamation, Nigerians will no longer be eligible for the issuance of nonimmigrant B-1 and B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas.
Most immigrant visa categories are also affected, although the US authorities have outlined a narrow range of exceptions.
The embassy clarified that the suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not already possess valid US visas.
Nigerians who hold valid visas issued before January 1, 2026 will not have them revoked and may continue to travel in line with existing immigration rules.
It added that lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals travelling on passports of countries not subject to the suspension, and special immigrant visa holders who worked for the US government are exempt.
Participants in certain major international sporting events are also excluded from the restrictions.
While affected Nigerians may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, the embassy warned that such applicants could ultimately be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States under the new policy.
Nigeria’s inclusion on the list has drawn significant attention given its close diplomatic, commercial and educational ties with the US.
Thousands of Nigerians travel to the country annually for business, tourism and academic pursuits, making the decision potentially disruptive for students, families and professionals.
The announcement comes on the same day the Trump administration recalled the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., as part of a wider reshuffle affecting nearly 30 ambassadors and senior diplomatic officials worldwide.
US officials said the recall was intended to align diplomatic representation more closely with the administration’s foreign policy direction.
Presidential Proclamation 10998 represents a continuation of the Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration, echoing similar travel and visa restrictions imposed during his previous term in office.
The US Department of State said further details on implementation are available on its official website as the January 2026 deadline approaches.
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