The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors holding valid F1 and J1 visas are not affected by the partial visa suspension introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The clarification was issued on Monday through the mission’s official X account following concerns arising from the January 1, 2026 implementation of the proclamation, which partially suspends certain visa issuances to Nigerian nationals as part of broader immigration control measures by the United States government.
According to the U.S. Mission, Nigerian students and exchange participants already in possession of valid F1 and J1 visas can continue their academic and exchange programmes without disruption at institutions across the United States.
“Nigerian students and exchange participants with currently valid F1 and J1 visas are not affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998. Students and exchange participants with visas can continue to contribute to learning, research, and innovation at U.S. colleges and institutions,” the mission stated.
Nigeria is among 19 countries listed under the partial suspension of visa issuance that took effect on January 1, 2026. The policy, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, followed Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
Under the directive, visa issuance was partially suspended for non-immigrant B-1 and B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, alongside immigrant visas with specific limited exceptions.
“Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions,” the statement read.
Exceptions under the policy include immigrant visas issued to ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with a passport not subject to the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas granted to United States government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
The development followed earlier immigration policy adjustments introduced in 2025, including the reduction of most Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry status with a three-month validity period and Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised travel restriction list.
The partial suspension initially generated concern among Nigerian students and prospective applicants, particularly those outside the United States who do not already hold valid student or exchange visas and could face challenges securing new visas or entering the country for academic programmes, research opportunities or exchange initiatives.
The latest clarification provides assurance to students already holding valid documentation, confirming that their academic plans, research engagements and exchange programmes remain protected under existing visa conditions.
The United States Mission in Nigeria had earlier warned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could negatively affect future opportunities for other applicants, as immigration authorities continue to tighten compliance measures.
Recent policy updates have introduced stricter visa requirements for Nigerians, including revised non-immigrant visa issuance rules announced in July 2025, which limited most newly issued visas to single-entry access with three-month validity periods, replacing the previous multi-entry visas that allowed repeated travel over several years.
Additional measures now require visa applicants to disclose all social media usernames used within the previous five years as part of enhanced digital screening procedures.
Alongside these changes, immigrant visa processing for Nigeria and approximately 74 other countries was paused beginning January 21, 2026, as part of wider adjustments to U.S. immigration policies.
