Checked against the official text on 21 October 2026.
Since 1 January 2026, a presidential proclamation has suspended entry to the US for Nigerian nationals on B1/B2 visitor visas, with some exceptions. This page quotes what the proclamation says and what the US State Department says about applying while it is in force. While it is, we do not sell the paid check for this route: a stronger application cannot change it.
Presidential Proclamation 10998 was signed on 16 December 2025. For Nigeria it says:
“The entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.”
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Sec. 5(j)(ii), Nigeria
It took effect on 1 January 2026:
“This proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 1, 2026.”
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Sec. 10, Effective Date
It applies only to people who were outside the US on that date and did not hold a valid visa on that date:
“the suspensions of and limitations on entry pursuant to sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of the designated countries who: (i) are outside the United States on the applicable effective date of this proclamation; and (ii) do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of this proclamation.”
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Sec. 6(a), Scope
A visa issued before it took effect is not cancelled by it:
“No immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.”
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Sec. 8(c), Enforcement
It lists other exceptions too. One is a dual national travelling on the passport of a country the proclamation does not name:
“any dual national of a country designated under sections 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this proclamation when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a country not so designated;”
Proclamation 10998: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Sec. 6(b)(ii), Exceptions
The State Department says:
“Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.”
Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, Applying while the suspension is in force
So an application can still be made and an interview attended, but a visa may not be issued. Whether an exception covers you depends on your own circumstances. For that, speak to a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser.
The free check and our rulebooks stay open for every destination. If you are going to the UK, a Schengen country or Canada instead, you can start a case as usual.
This is general help, not legal advice. For advice about your own case, talk to a lawyer or a licensed immigration adviser.
Approvable helps you check and prepare your own application. It is not immigration advice or legal advice. We cannot tell you if you will get the visa, and we do not guarantee that you will.