US assures Nigerians: Visas issued before Jan 1, 2026 remain valid

 

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has assured Nigerians that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid, despite the recent announcement of fresh US travel restrictions affecting Nigeria and 14 other countries.

The clarification followed growing concerns after the US government, on December 16, placed Nigeria on a partial travel suspension list alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon and The Gambia, among others.

In a statement issued on Monday, the embassy explained that the presidential proclamation would only take effect from January 1, 2026, and would not invalidate visas already issued before that 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 embassy said.

The US government cited security concerns for the decision, pointing to the activities of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of Nigeria, which it said posed “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”

It also referenced visa overstay rates, including 5.56 per cent for B-1/B-2 visitor visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M and J student and exchange visas.

The travel suspension affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J categories, which are among the most commonly used by Nigerians for business, tourism, study and exchange programmes.

However, the embassy clarified that the restrictions would apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid visa at that time.

The proclamation, according to the embassy, does not apply to lawful permanent residents, dual nationals travelling on passports of unaffected countries, special immigrant visa holders working with the US government, participants in selected major sporting events, and certain categories of immigrants facing persecution.

The embassy added that while affected applicants may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, they may be found ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States under the new rules.