Visa Suspension: US to Suspend Issuance to Nigerians January 1, 2026

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ZAINAB TANIMU
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Visa Suspension: US to Suspend Issuance to Nigerians January 1, 2026

By Zainab Tanimu, Kaduna Northwest Nigeria

Following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security, the United States will with effects from January 1, 2026,
partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals.

The US Mission in Nigeria on Monday announced that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

According to the statement, Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by this new law.

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Other countries affected include, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, and Venezuela.

The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also applies to immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.

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The US Mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to everyone.

Exemptions include

Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran

•Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension.

•Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)

•Participants in certain major sporting events

•Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

.

It will be recalled that of recent, there have been series of restrictions that have raised many concerns amongst Nigerians.

This development has added a layer of anxiety for families, scholars, and entrepreneurs whose aspirations looked westward.

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