Presidential Proclamation: Nigerian Students Holding Valid Visas Remain Exempt
- The United States Mission in Nigeria has confirmed that valid student and exchange visas will remain unaffected by the upcoming partial suspension
- Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1, 2026, introducing restrictions on certain visa categories for Nigerian nationals
- The clarification aims to reassure Nigerian students and exchange participants that their F1 and J1 visas continue to support their academic and research pursuits in the United States
The United States Mission in Nigeria has confirmed that Nigerian students and exchange visitors holding valid visas will not be affected by the upcoming partial visa suspension under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
In a post on X on February 23, the mission 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.”
Source: Getty Images
Details of presidential proclamation 10998
The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. It introduces a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerian nationals. The suspension applies to:
• Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas
• F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas
• Immigrant visas, with limited exceptions
Officials have clarified that the measure only applies to foreign nationals outside the United States on the effective date who do not hold valid visas. They added, “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.”
Speaking with Legit.ng, AbdulRasheed Hussain, a policy analyst based in Nigeria, shared his observation:
“I think the clarification from US embassy offered important reassurance for Nigerian students and exchange visitors. It helps to ease anxieties and shows continued value placed on academic and research exchanges between Nigeria and the United States.”
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria among 19 countries affected
Nigeria is one of 19 countries listed under the partial suspension. The announcement follows a series of recent immigration-related measures targeting Nigerians. Earlier in 2025, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas with a three-month duration. In October, Washington also reinstated Nigeria on its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, followed by its inclusion on a revised travel restriction list.
Clarification eases concerns for students
PUNCH Online reports that the latest statement from the U.S. Mission is expected to ease concerns among Nigerian students and exchange participants about whether their existing visas would remain valid. The F-1 visa is issued to international students enrolled full-time in academic programmes at U.S. schools or universities. Earlier in February, the mission had warned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could negatively affect opportunities for other citizens seeking to travel to the United States.
See the X post below:
Trump's order may delay 5,000 intending Nigerian immigrants
Legit.ng earlier reported that No fewer than 5,000 intending Nigerian immigrants to the United States were reported to face delays following new visa restrictions imposed on Nigeria and 74 other countries by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
According to The PUNCH, data from the US consulate in Lagos showed that 5,626 immigrant visas were issued in 2023, up from 4,219 in 2022, an increase of 1,407 visas within a year.
An analysis by The PUNCH indicated that at least 5,000 immigrant visas granted to Nigerians annually could be affected by the latest measure, which sought to restrict the entry of foreigners intending to live in the United States.
Source: Legit.ng
