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 post on X on Monday, the mission stated that holders of valid F1 and J1 visas remain eligible to travel and study in the United States despite the new restrictions.
“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 statement read.
The clarification comes after 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”.
Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the partial suspension, which took effect on the same date.
In recent months, the United States has rolled out several immigration-related measures impacting Nigerians. Earlier this year, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas with a three-month duration.
