President Donald Trump’s led United States has suspended visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia and dozens of other countries as part of a broad review of its immigration screening system.
An internal directive from the US Department of State, which takes effect from January 21, instructs American embassies and consulates to halt visa processing for nationals of at least 73 countries while authorities reassess existing vetting procedures.
The memo, first reported by Fox News, directs consular officers to rely on current legal provisions to refuse visa applications during the review period.
The suspension affects multiple visa categories and has no specified end date, as officials have not indicated when the reassessment will be completed.
Affected countries span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. They include Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.
US officials have linked the decision to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in immigration law, which allows visa denials for applicants considered likely to rely on government assistance.
In November 2025, the State Department instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to apply tougher standards when assessing such risks.
Under the revised guidelines, consular officers are required to consider additional factors such as applicants’ age, health status, English language proficiency, financial capacity, employment prospects and potential need for long-term medical care.
Somalia has attracted heightened scrutiny following a federal investigation in Minnesota that uncovered widespread fraud involving publicly funded welfare programmes. Prosecutors said many of those implicated were Somali nationals or individuals of Somali descent, leading to closer examination of visa cases linked to the country.
Although Nigeria was not specifically mentioned in the memo, its inclusion places it among nations now facing more stringent entry requirements. This comes amid continued high demand for US visas by Nigerians seeking opportunities in education, employment, tourism and family reunification.
The State Department has yet to clarify whether humanitarian exemptions will apply or how long the suspension will last, leaving prospective travellers, students and families uncertain.
Analysts warn that the policy could disrupt international mobility, delay academic and career plans, and potentially strain diplomatic relations between the United States and the affected countries.
