Natalie Nyathi
Starting January 1, 2026, the United States will begin enforcing a partial visa ban on Nigeria and 18 other countries as part of an effort to enhance national security. This decision follows Presidential Proclamation 10998, which aims to tighten immigration controls.
The list of countries affected by this suspension includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The ban specifically targets several types of visas, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas. Immigrant visas will also be impacted, although there are limited exceptions for certain groups.
This policy only applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on January 1, 2026, and do not hold a valid U.S. visa at that time. The U.S. Embassy has made it clear that “Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998.” This means that anyone with a valid visa before this date will not lose their ability to enter the U.S.
Exemptions will apply to individuals such as ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution, dual nationals using passports from unaffected countries, U.S. government employees on Special Immigrant Visas, and participants in major international sporting events.
While applicants from the affected countries can still submit visa applications and attend interviews, the U.S. Mission has warned that they “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the US” under the new rules.
This development has raised concerns, particularly among African nations, which account for 14 of the 19 countries affected. The African Union has pointed out the “potential negative impact” these measures could have on educational exchanges, business relationships, and broader diplomatic ties.
The tightening of U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration has intensified the situation. Many analysts are fearful that these restrictions might lead to diminished opportunities for educational exchanges and family reunification.
As the U.S. takes these steps to tighten its borders amid ongoing security concerns, the long-term effects on relationships between the U.S. and African countries remain uncertain. The implications of this ban could affect not just travel but also the interconnectedness of communities and economies moving forward.