Visas issued before January 1, 2026 remain valid, US assures Nigerians after travel restrictions

The United States embassy in Nigeria has clarified that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid amid concerns over new travel restrictions.

Nigeria was among 15 mostly African countries, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, and The Gambia, placed on partial travel suspensions by the US government on December 16.

In Nigeria’s case, the US cited the free operation of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in certain parts of the country, creating “substantial screening and vetting difficulties”.

An overstay rate of 5.56 percent on the B-1/B-2 visa and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent on the F, M, and J visas were also cited as reasons for the addition of Nigeria to the list.

As a result, the travel suspension covered immigrant visas as well as non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories — routes most commonly used by Nigerians despite data showing relatively low visa overstay rates.

B visas are for temporary visitors for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2); F and M visas are for students (academic and vocational); while J visas are for exchange visitors.

January 1, 2026, has been set as the effective date.

In a statement on Monday, the US embassy clarified that the presidential proclamation does not affect 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, special immigrant visas (SIVs) for US government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

The embassy added that the restrictions only apply to foreign nationals who are outside the US on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa on the effective date.

“No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement reads.

The embassy added that visa applicants who are subject to the proclamation may still submit applications and schedule interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the US.