The United States has temporarily suspended visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia, and at least 71 other nations as part of a review of its immigration screening procedures. The directive, issued internally by the U.S. Department of State, takes effect from January 21, 2026, and orders American embassies and consulates to halt visa services while reassessing vetting processes.
The suspension spans multiple visa categories and has no defined end date, leaving prospective travellers uncertain about when applications might resume. The affected countries cut across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Brazil, and Thailand. Consular officers have been instructed to rely on existing legal grounds to refuse applications during the review.
US officials link the measure to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” rule, which allows visa denial for applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance. Factors now considered include age, health, English proficiency, financial resources, employment prospects, and potential long-term medical needs. Although Nigeria was not specifically mentioned in the directive, its inclusion signals heightened scrutiny amid growing numbers of Nigerians seeking US visas for education, work, tourism, and family reunification.
The State Department has yet to clarify if exemptions will apply for humanitarian cases or how long the suspension will last. Observers warn that the move could delay educational and professional plans, disrupt travel, and strain diplomatic relations between the US and the affected countries.
