US Says Old Visas Are Still Valid After New Rules on Nigeria

The United States government has reassured Nigerians that visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid, even after the introduction of new travel restrictions affecting Nigeria. This clarification was given by the US Embassy in Nigeria following growing concerns from travelers and visa holders across the country.

The reassurance came after the US government announced a partial travel suspension that includes Nigeria and several other countries.

Many Nigerians feared that the new rules could cancel visas already issued, especially for those planning to travel soon. The embassy’s statement was meant to calm those fears and explain clearly how the policy works.

According to the US Embassy, the new restrictions are not retroactive. This means they do not affect visas that were approved before the policy takes effect. 

The embassy stated clearly that no visa issued before January 1, 2026, has been revoked or will be revoked because of the new proclamation. Nigerians who already hold valid visas can still travel to the United States using those documents.

The travel restrictions were announced on December 16 and apply to a group of countries, many of them in Africa and the Caribbean. Apart from Nigeria, countries such as Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica were also included. The policy is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.

US authorities explained that Nigeria was included due to security and immigration-related concerns. The embassy pointed to the activities of extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in some parts of the country, saying these activities make screening and vetting more difficult. 

Visa overstay records were also mentioned as part of the assessment. US officials noted that a noticeable number of Nigerian visitors and students stayed beyond their approved periods, which influenced the decision.

Both immigrant and non-immigrant visas are affected by the new rules. These include visas commonly used for business, tourism, education, and exchange programmes. 

However, the embassy emphasized again that only people who do not already have valid visas and are outside the United States when the policy begins will be affected.

The US Embassy also explained that some categories of travelers are exempt from the restrictions. 

These include lawful permanent residents, dual citizens traveling with passports from countries not affected by the policy, special immigrant visa holders connected to US government service, certain athletes attending major international sporting events, and some individuals facing serious threats or persecution.

For Nigerians who are still planning to apply for US visas, the embassy said applications and interviews will continue as normal.

However, applicants should be aware that once the new rules take effect, some people may be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States.

By issuing this clarification, the US government says it hopes to reduce confusion and anxiety among Nigerians.