The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors with valid visas are not impacted by the partial visa suspension introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The clarification was shared in a post on X on Monday.
“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 US colleges and institutions,” it stated.
F1 and J1 visas are non immigrant categories issued to foreign nationals pursuing academic studies or participating in exchange and training programmes in the United States.
The statement follows the earlier announcement by the United States government that it would partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian citizens beginning January 1, 2026, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria previously indicated that the restrictions would take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time under the proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.
Nigeria is listed among 19 countries subject to the measure, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, and Zambia.
The proclamation enforces a partial suspension on the issuance of non immigrant B1/B2 visitor visas as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas.
It also extends to immigrant visa categories, subject to limited exemptions.
Exemptions apply to immigrant visas granted to ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees, participants in certain major international sporting events, and Lawful Permanent Residents.
The suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not possess a valid US visa at that time.
In January, the United States Department of State introduced a refundable visa bond of up to 15,000 dollars, which took effect on January 21.
Nigeria was included among 38 countries whose nationals are subject to the new bond requirement.
In Nigeria’s case, US authorities cited the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of the country, stating that this situation creates substantial screening and vetting challenges.
The directive provides that, “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined during the visa interview.
“Applicants must also submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352. Applicants must also agree to the terms of the bond through the US Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov. This requirement applies regardless of the place of application.”
According to the announcement, the visa bond is intended to promote compliance rather than serve as an additional visa charge.
Applicants approved for B1/B2 visas, typically issued for short term business or tourism travel, may be required to deposit between several thousand dollars and 15,000 dollars, depending on individual risk evaluations.
The bond is meant to ensure that visa holders comply fully with the conditions of their visas, including respecting the authorised duration of stay and departing the United States as required.
US officials say the policy was introduced amid growing concerns about visa overstays and non compliance, particularly involving countries with historically higher overstay rates.
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