The United States Department of State has announced the implementation of partial visa restrictions on nationals of Nigeria and 18 other countries, effective January 1, 2026.
According to the announcement, the restrictions will take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST and are in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
The affected countries are 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.
Under the proclamation, visa issuance will be partially suspended for several categories, including nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas.
The U.S. Department of State said the measure is part of broader efforts to enhance national security through stricter entry controls.
