US Mission clarifies that Nigerian students with valid F-1, J-1 visas unaffected by Trump’s visa restriction order
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors holding valid visas will not be affected by the partial visa suspension under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The clarification, posted on X by the Mission on Monday, aimed to dispel concerns about whether the order impacts holders of valid visas, particularly students and exchange participants.
The statement reads: “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.”
Under the proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the United States partially suspended visa issuance to Nigerian nationals in certain categories, effective 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026.
The suspension covers nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
However, U.S. authorities have emphasized that the measure applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.
Officials have also stated: “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.”
