The United States has announced a partial suspension of the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian nationals, effective January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security.

The US Mission in Nigeria said the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) under Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure, alongside Angola, Benin, Cuba, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Under the proclamation, the suspension covers several nonimmigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visas. Certain immigrant visa categories are also affected, although limited exemptions apply.

The exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals travelling with passports from countries not listed in the proclamation, lawful permanent residents of the United States, eligible recipients of Special Immigrant Visas linked to US government employment, and participants in selected major international sporting events.

The US Mission clarified that the suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not already hold a valid visa.
“Foreign nationals holding valid visas as of January 1, 2026, will not be affected. No visas issued before that date will be revoked,” the mission said.

While visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews, the mission noted that they could be denied visa issuance or entry under the new rules.

The development follows a series of recent US actions involving Nigeria, including its inclusion on a revised travel restriction list and a designation linked to concerns over religious freedom.