The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors holding currently valid F‑1 and J‑1 visas will not be affected by the partial visa suspension introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement posted on X on Monday, the mission said:
“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.”
F‑1 and J‑1 visas are non‑immigrant visa categories issued to foreign nationals for academic study and cultural exchange programmes in the United States.
Background on the Visa Restrictions
The clarification comes after the US announced in December that it would partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals starting January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
The proclamation places limits on the issuance of several visa categories to citizens of 19 countries, including Nigeria. These include:
- Non‑immigrant B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas
- F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas
- Immigrant visas, with limited exceptions based on nationality and other criteria.
However, US authorities have emphasised that the restrictions apply only to individuals who are outside the United States on the effective date and do not hold a valid US visa at that time. Nationals with valid visas issued prior to January 1, 2026, including F‑1 and J‑1 visa holders, are exempt and can continue their activities in the United States without disruption.
