The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors with valid visas will not be affected by the partial visa suspension introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
In a statement released on Monday via its official X account, the mission said Nigerian students and exchange programme participants who already hold valid F-1 and J-1 visas can continue their studies and academic engagements in the United States despite the new restrictions.
The mission stated:“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 clarification follows growing concerns among Nigerian students after the United States announced a partial suspension of certain visa issuances to nationals of 19 countries, including Nigeria.
The restriction, which took effect on January 1, 2026, was introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
According to the announcement, the U.S. government said:
“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 proclamation initially raised concerns among Nigerian students and prospective applicants, as it suggested that new student and exchange visas might be restricted, potentially affecting those planning to study, conduct research, or participate in academic exchange programmes in the United States.
However, the U.S. Mission’s clarification indicates that students and exchange participants who already possess valid visas can continue their programmes without disruption.
The proclamation also provides limited exemptions, including immigrant visas issued to ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports not subject to the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
The development comes amid a series of tightening U.S. immigration measures affecting Nigerian travellers.
In July 2025, the United States Department of State revised its visa policy for Nigerians, limiting most new non-immigrant visas to single-entry with a three-month validity period. Previously, Nigerians were commonly issued multiple-entry visas with longer durations.
In addition, visa applicants are now required to disclose all social media usernames used in the past five years as part of expanded digital screening procedures.
The United States Mission in Nigeria has also warned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could affect future opportunities for other applicants.
Further policy adjustments have also seen the United States pause immigrant visa processing for Nigeria and about 74 other countries beginning January 21, 2026.
Despite these tightening measures, the mission’s latest clarification is expected to reassure Nigerian students currently studying in the United States that their academic plans remain protected, allowing them to continue contributing to learning, research and innovation at American institutions.
Boluwatife Enome
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