Last checked against official sources: 5 October 2026
Quick answer: Since 1 January 2026, US Presidential Proclamation 10998 has suspended entry for Nigerian nationals on immigrant visas and on B-1/B-2 (visitor), F, M (student) and J (exchange) visas, unless an exception applies. Visas issued before 1 January 2026 were not revoked. You can still apply and attend an interview, but you may be refused. If an officer finds you eligible for a B1/B2 visa, you must pay a bond of up to US$20,000 before it is issued. Since 1 August 2026, routine visa services in Nigeria are handled at the Consulate General in Lagos, not the Embassy in Abuja.
“Has America banned Nigerians?” is one of the most searched questions in Nigeria this year, and the answers on social media are full of mistakes. Some say every Nigerian is banned. Others say nothing has changed. The truth is in between, and it depends on which visa you want and whether you already hold one. This guide explains what the official text of the proclamation and the US Mission in Nigeria actually say, who is affected, who isn’t, and what your realistic options are.
This is general information, not legal advice on your case. US rules on this topic change quickly, so always check the official US Mission Nigeria and State Department pages linked below before you pay any fee.
US visa rules for Nigerians at a glance (October 2026)
| Question | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| What changed? | Proclamation 10998 (signed 16 December 2025, effective 1 January 2026) partially restricts entry of Nigerian nationals. |
| Which visas are suspended? | Immigrant visas (green card through family or employment), and B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J nonimmigrant visas. |
| Other visas (e.g. work visas)? | Not suspended, but consular officers are told to reduce how long those visas are valid. |
| I already have a valid US visa | It was not revoked by the proclamation. The restriction applies to people without a valid visa on 1 January 2026. |
| Can I still apply? | Yes. You can submit an application and attend an interview, but you may be found ineligible. |
| Visitor visa bond | Nigerians found eligible for B1/B2 must post a bond of up to US$20,000 before the visa is issued. |
| Where to apply in Nigeria | Consulate General Lagos. Abuja stopped routine visa services on 1 August 2026. |
What exactly does Proclamation 10998 say about Nigeria?
The proclamation names Nigeria among 15 countries with a partial restriction (not a full ban). Its Nigeria section cites security-screening concerns and US overstay data (a 5.56% B-1/B-2 overstay rate and 11.90% for F, M and J visas). It then says the entry of Nigerian nationals as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas, is suspended, and that officers should reduce the validity of any other nonimmigrant visa issued to Nigerians. You can read the full text on the US Government Publishing Office website.
Who is affected, and who isn’t
You are affected if
- You are a Nigerian national outside the US, and
- you did not have a valid US visa on 1 January 2026, and
- you want a visitor (B), student (F or M), exchange (J) or immigrant visa.
You are not affected (by this proclamation) if
- You are a US green card holder (lawful permanent resident).
- You had a valid visa issued before 1 January 2026. The proclamation says no visa issued before the effective date is revoked under it. You still have to be admissible at the border.
- You are a dual national travelling on a non-Nigerian passport, for example a British or Canadian passport.
- You hold certain diplomatic or international-organisation visas (A, G, NATO classes), or you’re an athlete travelling for a major event such as the World Cup or Olympics, as determined by the Secretary of State.
- You are granted a case-by-case national-interest exception. Only US officials decide these, and you cannot buy one.
De Auditor’s note: students already in the US on a valid F-1 or J-1 visa should think carefully before travelling home. The proclamation didn’t cancel your visa, but if it expires while you’re in Nigeria, a new F or J visa falls under the suspension. Talk to your school’s international student office before booking a flight.
The B1/B2 visa bond: up to US$20,000
The US Mission in Nigeria says that Nigerians who are found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond of up to US$20,000 before the visa can be issued, wherever they apply. According to the Mission:
- The consular officer tells you at the interview whether you are eligible and gives you instructions to pay.
- Pay the bond only on the website named in the officer’s instructions, and only after being told to.
- No B1/B2 visa can be issued to a Nigerian until the bond is paid.
At the Wise mid-market rate of 5 October 2026 (US$1 = ₦1,353), US$20,000 is about ₦27.1 million. That’s a serious amount, and it is only collected after an officer approves you.
Scam alert: anyone who asks you to pay a “US visa bond”, “waiver fee” or “exemption fee” before your interview, or through a personal bank account, is a fraudster. The Mission is clear that the bond is paid only after an officer instructs you, on the official site in your instructions.
Abuja vs Lagos: where to apply now
From 1 August 2026, the State Department stopped routine visa services at 25 posts in Africa, including the US Embassy in Abuja, and moved them to regional hubs. Lagos is one of the designated hubs, so Nigerians now schedule routine visa appointments at the Consulate General in Lagos. If you had an interview booked in Abuja, watch your email for instructions. See the Mission’s visa page and the State Department’s realignment notice.
The Mission also says applicants should usually apply in their country of residence or nationality, and that visa fees are non-refundable.
Other new rules that affect Nigerian applicants
- Social media must be public for many visa types, including F, M, J, H-1B and K visas, so officers can vet applicants. Set your accounts to public before you apply.
- Shorter validity: where a visa can still be issued to a Nigerian (for example some work visas), the proclamation tells officers to reduce how long it is valid.
- Review every 180 days: the proclamation requires a report every 180 days recommending whether each country’s restrictions should be continued, ended, changed or expanded. Nigeria’s status can change, so check before you plan.
What are your options now?
- If you want to study abroad: other major destinations have no such restriction on Nigerians. See our Canada study permit guide (proof of funds now CAN$23,448 + tuition).
- If you want to work abroad: compare the UK Skilled Worker visa (job offer needed) and the Germany Opportunity Card (job search without an offer).
- If you have family in the US: immigrant visas for Nigerians are currently suspended, apart from narrow exceptions. Keep your documents up to date and follow official announcements rather than rumours.
- If you hold another nationality: travelling on that passport may mean the Nigeria restriction doesn’t apply to you. Normal visa rules for that nationality apply instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a US travel ban on Nigerians in 2026?
There is a partial restriction, not a full ban. Since 1 January 2026, new immigrant visas and B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas for Nigerian nationals are suspended unless an exception applies.
Was my existing US visa cancelled?
No. Proclamation 10998 says visas issued before 1 January 2026 are not revoked under it. You still need to meet normal entry requirements at the US border.
Can Nigerian students still get F-1 visas?
New F, M and J visas for Nigerian nationals are suspended unless a national-interest exception applies. Students already in the US with valid visas are not affected by the proclamation itself.
How much is the US visa bond for Nigerians?
Up to US$20,000 for applicants found eligible for a B1/B2 visa. It’s paid only after a consular officer instructs you, on the official site in your instructions.
Does the US Embassy in Abuja still issue visas?
Routine visa services stopped in Abuja on 1 August 2026. Nigerians now use the Consulate General in Lagos, one of the State Department’s regional visa hubs.
Can an agent get me a US visa exemption?
No. Exceptions are decided only by US officials, case by case. Anyone selling a guaranteed exemption is running a scam.
Your next step
Before you pay any US visa fee, read the latest notice on the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria visa page, and confirm whether your visa type is affected. If it is, put your time and money into a destination where Nigerians can still apply normally.
For same-day rule changes, join our free Telegram channel. Found something out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it against the official source. Please don’t send passport scans or application documents. We can’t review personal cases.
AbroadPath Africa is an independent information website, not a visa agency, law firm or immigration consultant, and is not connected to the US government. Only US consular officers decide visa applications. See our Disclaimer.
Leave a Reply