The United States Embassy has clarified that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid, following concerns over new US travel restrictions affecting Nigeria and other countries.
Nigeria is among 15 mostly African countries placed under partial travel suspensions by the US government on December 16. Others on the list include Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Gabon, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda.
In Nigeria’s case, US authorities cited security concerns, saying extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State operate freely in parts of the country. The US said this creates challenges in screening and vetting visa applicants.
The decision was also linked to visa overstay rates. US data showed a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visitor visas and an 11.9 per cent overstay rate for student and exchange visas.
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The suspension affects both immigrant visas and several non-immigrant visas commonly used by Nigerians, including visitor visas (B-1 and B-2), student visas (F and M), and exchange visas (J). The restrictions take effect on January 1, 2026.
In a statement on Monday, the US Embassy said the new rules do not apply to visas issued before that date.
“No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST have been or will be revoked,” the embassy said.
The embassy added that the policy does not affect certain groups, including lawful permanent residents, dual nationals travelling with passports from unaffected countries, some US government employees, and participants in major international sporting events.
It also said the restrictions apply only to people who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not already hold a valid visa.
Visa applicants may still apply and attend interviews, but the embassy warned that some applicants could be denied visas or entry under the new rules.
