The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries, including Nigeria, effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST. This significant policy change, detailed in Presidential Proclamation 10998, aims to "Restrict and Limit the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States." Both the US embassy in Nigeria and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria reiterated this suspension on their official platforms, confirming the implementation date and scope of the measure.

The suspension specifically targets several nonimmigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas. The 19 countries impacted by this proclamation are 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. This broad restriction reflects a security-focused policy issued on December 16, 2025, to limit the entry of foreign nationals deemed higher-risk.

However, the proclamation includes limited exceptions to ensure certain critical categories of individuals are not unduly affected. These exceptions apply to immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals who apply with a passport of a nationality not subject to the suspension, and Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D). Additionally, participants in certain major sporting events and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) are also exempt from the suspension.

The U.S. Mission clarified that Presidential Proclamation 10998 applies exclusively to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST. Crucially, foreign nationals, even those abroad, who possess valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to this proclamation. Moreover, no visas issued before January 1, 2026, will be revoked pursuant to this new policy. While visa applicants subject to the proclamation may still submit applications and schedule interviews, they may face ineligibility for visa issuance or admission to the United States.

Initial reactions from affected countries, particularly Nigeria, have highlighted a mix of frustration and concern. Many express worries over potential financial losses from already paid application fees and the broader economic and emotional impacts on individuals planning to travel for various purposes. The policy underscores a global shift towards enhanced security measures at borders, with significant implications for international travel and relations with the targeted nations.