US assures Nigerians: Valid F-1, J-1 Visa holders exempt from new entry limits

The United States Mission Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors currently holding valid visas will not be impacted by the partial visa suspension announced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.

In a statement shared on its official X account on Monday, the mission sought to calm concerns among Nigerians studying or participating in exchange programmes in the United States.

It 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 comes ahead of the January 1, 2026 commencement of the proclamation, formally titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

Under the new directive, the United States will, from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, partially suspend the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian nationals.

The affected categories include:

– Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas
– F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas
– Immigrant visas, subject to limited exceptions

However, U.S. authorities emphasised that the restrictions apply only to individuals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not already possess a valid U.S. visa.

Officials further clarified that “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,”.

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Nigeria is one of 19 countries listed for the partial suspension, first announced in December 2025, with enforcement scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.

In recent months, Washington has rolled out several immigration-related policies affecting Nigerians. Earlier this year, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry permits valid for three months.

In October, the U.S. also returned Nigeria to its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, a move that preceded Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised travel restriction list imposing partial entry limitations.

The latest reassurance from the U.S. Mission is expected to ease anxiety among Nigerian students and exchange participants who were uncertain about the status of their existing F-1 and J-1 visas once the proclamation takes effect.

For now, the mission has reaffirmed that holders of valid F-1 and J-1 visas may continue their studies and exchange programmes in the United States without disruption.

Earlier in February, the mission also cautioned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could adversely affect opportunities for other Nigerians seeking to travel to the U.S.

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