The United States will implement a partial visa suspension affecting Nigeria and 18 other countries starting January 1, 2026.

The US Embassy and Consulates in Nigeria announced the measure in a statement on Monday.

The suspension will impact nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas, though certain exceptions will apply.

Nationals of the affected countries who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not possess a valid visa will be subject to the new restrictions.

The restrictions will apply to nationals of Nigeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, and The Gambia.

They will also cover 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.

The suspension does not apply to certain cases, including immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals using a passport not affected by the restrictions, Special Immigrant Visas for US government employees, participants in select major sporting events, and Lawful Permanent Residents.

The US Embassy stressed that affected individuals can still apply for visas and schedule interviews, but they may be denied visa issuance or entry into the United States.
Nigeria was added to the US travel restriction list earlier in December 2025.

The Trump administration cited security concerns and challenges with immigration compliance as the reasons for the designation.

US officials also pointed to the activities of extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which complicate screening and vetting processes.

According to the Fiscal Year 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, Nigerian nationals had overstay rates of 5.56% for B-1/B-2 visas and 11.9% for F, M, and J visas.

The US administration cited these figures, along with concerns over document integrity, identity verification, and regional instability, as reasons for placing Nigeria under partial travel restrictions.

Nigeria is not subject to a full travel ban but faces a partial suspension affecting both immigrant and nonimmigrant applicants for B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

Current visa holders, Lawful Permanent Residents, diplomats, athletes, and travelers whose trips serve U.S. national interests remain exempt from the suspension.

The U.S. administration noted that case-by-case waivers will still be available.

However, certain family-based immigrant visa categories—highlighted by officials as carrying “demonstrated fraud risks”—will face stricter scrutiny.

For Nigerians applying for new visas, this may result in more rigorous screening, longer processing times, and potentially higher rejection rates, particularly for student, visitor, and family-based applications.