Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Confusion and concern have swept across Nigeria following a new U.S. travel restriction that suspends entry for Nigerian nationals seeking certain visas, including those most commonly used by business travellers, tourists and students. The policy, announced by the United States government in a presidential proclamation issued on December 16, 2025, will take effect from January 1, 2026 and has sparked widespread uncertainty over its impact on travel, education and family reunions.
Under the updated entry restrictions, Nigeria has been included on a list of countries subject to partial limitations on visa issuance. The proclamation specifically suspends the issuance of immigrant visas as well as non‑immigrant B‑1, B‑2, B‑1/B‑2, F, M and J visas — the categories typically used by Nigerians travelling to the United States for business, tourism, academic studies and cultural or exchange programmes.
The U.S. government’s fact sheet outlines the rationale for the restrictions, citing concerns about persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting and information‑sharing systems, along with visa overstay rates and security challenges. According to U.S. data, Nigeria recorded an overstay rate of approximately 5.56 per cent for B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas and 11.90 per cent for student and exchange (F, M and J) visas, figures that factored into Washington’s decision to impose the partial suspension.
President Donald J. Trump’s proclamation does not amount to a blanket ban on all travel to the United States for Nigerians, but it severely limits the ability of those outside the country and without valid visas to obtain new tourist, student or exchange visas. Under the terms of the order, consular officers are also directed to reduce the validity of any other non‑immigrant visas issued to Nigerian nationals to the extent permitted by law.
The affected visa categories have specific purposes: B‑1 visas are granted for business visits; B‑2 visas cover tourism and family visits; F visas are for academic students; M visas apply to vocational or non‑academic studies; and J visas support exchange visitors participating in educational and cultural programmes. The suspension of these visas thus has wide ramifications for Nigerians planning to study, conduct business, tourism or participate in cultural exchanges in the United States.
Despite the broad scope of the policy, the proclamation includes several key exemptions. Nigerians who already hold valid visas in the affected categories may still enter the U.S., and there are carve‑outs for lawful permanent residents (green card holders), diplomats, dual nationals travelling on a non‑designated passport and certain other categories such as athletes and participants in major international sporting events.
The visa restrictions are part of a larger set of measures that also extend partial suspension of entry for nationals of several other countries deemed to have similar vetting and security concerns. Nigeria is one of 15 countries newly added to this partial restriction list under the latest proclamation.
Reactions in Nigeria have been mixed, with affected travellers expressing frustration over uncertainty about future plans and the implications for students seeking admission to U.S. universities or exchange programmes. Businesses with international operations are also concerned about potential disruptions to commercial travel. Meanwhile, some immigration experts stress that the policy could prompt renewed diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Washington as both countries seek to clarify procedures and explore possible responses.
Nigerian government officials have yet to issue a detailed response to the announcement, leaving citizens to monitor updates from U.S. consular services and official channels for guidance. As the January effective date approaches, lawyers and visa advisers are urging prospective travellers to carefully review their visa status and consult with legal experts to understand how the restrictions might affect individual cases.
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