U.S. Confirms Nigerian Students with Valid Visas Unaffected

The U.S. Mission Nigeria issued a statement confirming that Nigerian students with valid F1 and J1 visas will not be impacted by the partial visa suspension outlined in Presidential Proclamation 10998, which will take effect on January 1, 2026.

This proclamation aims to partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals. The U.S. has included Nigeria among 19 countries facing this visa issuance suspension, which affects non-immigrant B1/B2 visitor visas and F/M/J student exchange visitor visas, except for specific exemptions.

The announcement has raised concerns among Nigerian students and prospective applicants, particularly those outside the U.S. who do not already hold valid student exchange visas, as they may face restrictions in obtaining new visas to enter the U.S. The clarification provides relief to current students, allowing them to continue their studies and research without interruption.