US imposes partial travel ban on Nigerians, suspends entry for several visa categories
The United States government has announced sweeping travel restrictions on Nigerian nationals, suspending entry for multiple immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories over security and vetting concerns.
In a proclamation released on Tuesday, the Donald Trump administration said Nigerians applying for green cards and holders of B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 (business and tourism), F (academic study), M (vocational study), and J (exchange programme) visas will no longer be allowed entry into the country.
According to the White House, persistent insecurity in Nigeria and the activities of radical Islamist groups have made it difficult for US authorities to conduct reliable background checks on Nigerian applicants. The US also cited Nigeria’s high rate of visa overstays as a major factor influencing the decision.
“Nigeria recorded a 5.56% overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visitors and an 11.90% overstay rate for F, M, and J visa holders,” the proclamation stated, adding that the ban aims to enhance security screening and strengthen US immigration controls.
The restrictions instruct US consular officers in Nigeria to reduce the validity period for any other nonimmigrant visas issued to Nigerians, as allowed by law. This follows the recent categorisation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged support for Islamic extremists—a claim rejected by the Nigerian government, which insists its security challenges are complex and not religiously driven.
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Diplomatic discussions between both countries are ongoing. This week, US Ambassador Richard Mills met with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, to address issues of mutual concern, including security cooperation.
Wider Global Restrictions
Nigeria is one of 15 countries newly added to a US travel restriction list, joining Angola, Benin, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and several others. These additions come on top of seven countries already facing partial restrictions since June.
The new measures, which take effect from January 1, apply to foreign nationals currently outside the US without valid visas. Exemptions remain for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes attending major events, and certain special immigrant visas. Some persecuted religious and ethnic minorities from Iran are also exempt.
Countries Facing Full Travel Bans
The proclamation also announced complete travel bans on Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Syria, and Sudan. The US accused these nations of lacking credible civil documentation, suffering from corruption, and failing to provide reliable security information—circumstances Washington says undermine vetting procedures.
Additionally, Palestinian Authority passport holders have been barred from entry, with Washington linking the decision to the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict and the presence of Hamas in populated Palestinian areas.
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This latest action expands on travel restrictions introduced earlier in Trump’s presidency, which at various times targeted nations including Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen.
The administration insists the bans are necessary to protect national security and curb terrorism threats, while improving the US government’s ability to enforce immigration laws.
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