U.S. tightens immigration rules, halts visas for Nigerians
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced plans to partially suspend visa issuance beginning January 1, 2026.
The announcement was made on Monday night via the Embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. The move follows a new immigration directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, which affects Nigeria and 18 other countries.
According to the statement, the suspension will take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” Under the directive, the U.S. Department of State will partially halt visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries, including Nigeria.
The affected visa categories include nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
The exemptions apply to:
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 U.S. government employees
Participants in select major international sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Other countries impacted by the directive include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
