United States Visa Suspension To Nigerians Starts January 1, 2026

United States of America has announced that from January 1st, visa issuance to Nigeria citizens will come to and end. U.S. Department of State on Monday, December 22 in a statement mentioned that  the suspension applies to nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all categories of immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.

This new development is coming after following a new security directive issued under Presidential Proclamation 10998. Other countries affected by this development include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Going further, the United States authorities clarified that the suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. Holders of valid visas issued before that date will not be affected, and no previously issued visas will be revoked under the proclamation.

The The Department of State also said that affected applicants may continue to submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States under the new policy.