The United States Embassy announced that it will reduce visa services for Nigerians starting January 1, 2026, as part of a new immigration policy approved by the US government.
The decision was made by the United States government under President Donald Trump and affects Nigeria alongside 18 other countries. The development was confirmed by the US Embassy in Nigeria through an update shared on its official X account.
According to the notice, the suspension will take effect from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026. The policy will restrict the issuance of certain categories of visas, including B-1 and B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J visas meant for students and exchange programme participants. Most immigrant visas will also be affected.
The directive is based on a presidential order aimed at tightening entry rules into the United States over security concerns. As a result, Nigerians seeking short-term visits, study opportunities or permanent residency in the US may face delays or may be unable to apply under the affected categories.
However, the policy allows a few exceptions. These include Nigerians who hold dual citizenship but apply using passports from countries not affected by the restriction, lawful permanent residents of the United States, certain US government employees eligible for special immigrant visas, and individuals participating in major international sporting events. Some humanitarian cases are also exempted under the policy.
Nigeria joins other countries listed under the directive, including Benin, Senegal, Angola, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others across Africa, the Caribbean and South America.
The embassy did not state how long the partial suspension would last, but advised affected applicants to stay informed through official US government channels for further updates.
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