The United States government has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Nigeria, as part of an expanded effort to tighten immigration rules and vetting procedures.
According to officials, the policy will take effect on January 21, 2026, and will remain in force indefinitely while U.S. authorities reassess screening protocols and border security criteria for immigrant visas. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that consular offices have been instructed to refuse visas under current laws during this review period.
According to available information immigrant visas for Nigerian nationals will be paused — this affects individuals seeking entry to live permanently in the United States. Other aspects of the ban are:
• Non-immigrant visas (e.g., visitor, student, and exchange categories) are not part of this specific suspension but may face stricter screening and vetting under broader immigration enforcement measures.
• Nationals of Nigeria already holding valid visas issued before the effective dates are not expected to lose those visas.
The move continues a series of U.S. immigration restrictions announced over the past year, which have increasingly placed Nigeria on lists of countries subject to partial travel limits and visa eligibility reviews.
U.S. officials say the policy is part of an overarching strategy to refine immigration controls, reduce visa overstay rates, and ensure national security. The expanded restrictions also reflect concerns about vetting processes in countries with high overstay rates or document security challenges.
Nigerian authorities and travel industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the economic and social impacts of the visa suspension. Many Nigerians depend on travel for business, education, family visits, and cultural exchange, and delays or denials could have broad ramifications for bilateral ties.
Analysts say the visa suspension does not retroactively cancel existing valid visas for Nigerian citizens. Also,
• Nigerians planning future travel to the U.S. for work, study, or residency should expect longer processing times and more rigorous assessments.
• The U.S. Embassy and Nigeria’s immigration authorities are expected to issue joint advisories clarifying compliance expectations and eligibility criteria in the coming weeks.
This latest suspension follows earlier measures announced by the U.S. government last December, in which certain visa categories for Nigerians — including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, student (F/M) visas, and exchange (J) visas — were partially restricted under a presidential proclamation focusing on security and immigration policy.
In related changes, the U.S. has also introduced visa bond policies requiring applicants from specific countries, including Nigeria, to post financial guarantees to reduce overstays.
Local advisories from authorities have stressed that compliance with visa terms — such as not overstaying and not misusing travel categories — remains crucial to maintaining future travel opportunities.
