The United States Mission in Nigeria affirmed Monday that Nigerian students and exchange visitors with valid F1 and J1 visas remain unaffected by an impending partial suspension of visa issuances under Presidential Proclamation 10998, set to take effect January 1, 2026.
The clarification addresses mounting concerns among Nigerian applicants and current visa holders, as the measure targets new issuances for certain categories including nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visas, and immigrant visas with limited exceptions.
In a post on X, the mission stated: “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.”
Officials emphasized that the proclamation applies only to foreign nationals outside the United States on the effective date who lack a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.
“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,” they added.
The announcement follows a series of U.S. immigration adjustments impacting Nigerians, including reduced validity for most non-immigrant visas to single-entry with three-month durations, Nigeria’s addition to a list of countries violating religious freedom, and inclusion on a revised travel restriction roster.
In February, the mission had warned that visa overstays by Nigerians could jeopardize opportunities for others seeking U.S. entry.
The F-1 visa supports full-time academic studies at U.S. institutions, while the J-1 facilitates exchange programs for students, researchers, and interns.
