U.S. Imposes Partial Visa Suspension On Nigeria, 18 Other Nationals

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The United States Department of State has declared a partial suspension of visa issuance for nationals of nineteen countries, effective from January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998 aimed at enhancing national security through improved screening and information-sharing protocols.

The affected nations include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The restrictions target non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, alongside all immigrant visa categories.

The proclamation cites persistent deficiencies in vetting processes, high visa overstay rates, and inadequate cooperation on identity management and security data as primary justifications for the measures.

Officials emphasised that the partial suspension seeks to mitigate risks without revoking any visas already issued.

Exceptions remain in place for specific cases, such as immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals using passports from unaffected countries, Special Immigrant Visas for qualifying U.S. government affiliates, participants in major international sporting events, and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States.

Travellers and applicants from the listed countries have been advised to consult U.S. embassy websites or the Department of State’s official resources for guidance on existing applications and potential alternatives.

The announcement has sparked immediate concern among affected diaspora communities, particularly in Nigeria and other African nations, where student and business travel to the U.S. is significant.

The move aligns with ongoing efforts to refine immigration controls based on performance metrics, with the administration indicating potential adjustments should countries address identified shortcomings.

No timeline has been provided for review or possible lifting of the restrictions.