The United States Mission in Nigeria said on Monday it will partially suspend the issuance of several categories of visas to Nigerian nationals from Jan. 1, 2026, following the implementation of Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Under the proclamation, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 16, 2025, the State Department will restrict the issuance of B-1/B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M and J student and exchange visas. Certain immigrant visa categories will also be affected, the mission said in a statement on its website.
The suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States at the time the order takes effect and who do not hold valid visas issued before 12:01 a.m. EST on Jan. 1. Existing visas will not be revoked, it added.
Applicants covered by the order may continue to apply and schedule interviews but could be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States.
Nigeria is one of 19 countries subject to the new restrictions, alongside Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cuba, The Gambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.
The move follows a series of U.S. actions targeting Nigeria since the Trump administration redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations in October.
Washington later placed Nigeria on a revised travel-ban list and earlier this year reduced the validity of most non-immigrant visas for Nigerians to single-entry permits valid for three months.
