Restrictions: Nigerian Students With F1, J1 Visas Not Affected, Says US Embassy

The United States Mission in Nigeria has allayed the fears of Nigerian students and exchange visitors who hold valid visas, stating that they are not affected by the partial visa suspension under Presidential Proclamation 10998.

This was disclosed in a post on X on Monday by the US mission, saying, “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 was necessary ahead of the January 1, 2026, implementation of Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

By this proclamation, the United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, and these include Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, and Immigrant visas, with limited exceptions, according to the statement.

Recall that the US mission declared that the measure applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.

“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement said.

Nigeria was among 19 countries affected by a partial suspension announced by the US government in December 2025, which came into effect on January 1, 2026.

Prospective Nigerian travellers have faced a series of visa restrictions imposed by the United States, including the reduction of the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry visas with a three-month validity, among others.