The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to nationals of Nigeria and 18 other countries, effective January 1, 2026, citing security concerns. The new restriction bars entry for Nigerians seeking to enter the US as green card holders, or on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, which cover business, tourism, academic, vocational, and exchange programs.
According to the US Embassy in Nigeria, the measure is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998, which aims to tighten immigration controls to protect US national security. The suspension will apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa. Visas issued before the effective date will not be revoked, and foreign nationals who already possess valid visas as of January 1, 2026, are not subject to the proclamation.
The countries affected by the restrictions include Nigeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The US authorities have clarified that visa applicants from the affected countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but they may be found ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States.
The proclamation provides exemptions for lawful permanent residents, dual nationals applying with passports from unaffected countries, US government employees eligible for Special Immigrant Visas, and participants in major international sporting events. It also exempts ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. The White House cited the activities of radical Islamist groups, Nigeria’s persistent security crisis, and difficulties in verifying applicants’ backgrounds as reasons for the decision.
The restrictions come weeks after the US designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, following accusations of supporting Islamic extremists persecuting Christians. The Nigerian government has denied the claim, describing the crisis as complex. Diplomatic engagements on Nigeria’s security situation have continued, with high-level delegations exchanged between both countries in the last month. The US government has stated that the restrictions are intended to encourage cooperation from foreign governments, reduce visa overstay rates, enforce immigration laws, and advance national security and counterterrorism objectives.
In addition to the partial suspension of visa issuance, the US government has also imposed a total travel ban on Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Syria, and Sudan, citing their record of presenting “fraudulent or unreliable civil documents, criminal records, and widespread corruption.” The US authorities claim that travel bans are a way to protect the country against foreign terrorists and other security threats. The restrictions are expected to have significant implications for individuals and families affected by the suspension, as well as for the diplomatic relations between the US and the affected countries.
