The United States of America (USA) Embassy in Nigeria has announced that, effective January 1, 2026, visa issuance will be partially suspended for nationals of 19 countries, including several African nations, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

The affected African countries include Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Other countries impacted by the proclamation are Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Tonga and Venezuela.

“For nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions for:

“•Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran

“•Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension

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“•Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)

“•Participants in certain major sporting events

“•Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs),” part of the statement said.

Exemptions under the proclamation include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not affected by the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for US government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

The restrictions apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa at that time.

Individuals already in the US or holding valid visas as of January 1, 2026, are not affected and visas issued before this date will not be revoked.

The US Embassy further clarified that affected individuals may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or US entry depending on the provisions of the proclamation.



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