The United States will begin enforcing a partial visa suspension for Nigeria and 18 other countries starting January 1, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement on the website of the US Embassy and Consulates in Nigeria on Monday.
The suspension will affect non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
Nationals of the affected countries who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa will be subject to the restrictions.
What the US is saying
According to the statement, the restrictions apply to nationals of Nigeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, and The Gambia.
They also apply to Malawi, Mauritania, Angola, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions,” the statement read in part.
Exceptions are allowed for immigrant visas issued to ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with a passport not subject to suspension, Special Immigrant Visas for US government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and Lawful Permanent Residents.
The embassy emphasized that affected individuals may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States.
