The United States Mission in Nigeria has assured that Nigerian students with valid F1, J1 visas safe from the partial visa suspension announced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
In a post on X on Monday, the mission clarified that Nigerian students and exchange visitors who already hold valid F1 and J1 visas will not be affected by the policy.
It stated that students and exchange participants with valid visas can continue their studies, research and innovation at American colleges and institutions.
The clarification comes ahead of the January 1, 2026 implementation of Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
What the proclamation provides
Under the directive, the United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian nationals from 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2026.
The suspension covers:
- Non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas
- Immigrant visas, with limited exceptions
However, U.S. authorities stressed that the measure applies only to Nigerians who are outside the country on the effective date and who do not hold valid U.S. visas.
Officials further explained that foreign nationals who already possess valid visas as of January 1, 2026, will not be affected and that no visa issued before that date will be revoked.
Nigeria is among 19 countries listed for the partial suspension scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
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In recent months, the United States has introduced several immigration-related measures affecting Nigerians, including reducing the validity of most non-immigrant visas to single-entry visas with a three-month duration and adding Nigeria to a revised travel restriction list imposing partial entry limits.
The latest clarification is expected to ease concerns among Nigerian students and exchange participants about the status of their visas.
For now, the mission has confirmed that Nigerian students with valid F1, J1 visas safe and can continue their studies and exchange programmes in the United States.
Earlier in February, the mission warned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could negatively affect travel opportunities for other citizens.
The F-1 visa applies to international students enrolled full-time in academic programmes at U.S. institutions, while the J-1 visa is issued to exchange visitors such as students, researchers and interns in approved programmes.
With this clarification, the mission reiterated that Nigerian students with valid F1, J1 visas safe under the partial visa suspension policy.