The United States has temporarily suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Nigeria, in a move that is projected to delay or disrupt the plans of approximately 5,000 Nigerian applicants annually.
The policy, enacted under President Donald Trump’s administration, took effect this week and will remain in place indefinitely pending a full review.
According to data from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria saw 5,626 immigrant visas issued in 2023, an increase from 4,219 in 2022.
An analysis by The PUNCH suggests at least 5,000 of these visas each year could be impacted by the new restrictions. In 2024 alone, the U.S. issued 70,621 total visas to Nigerians, with 7,308 designated as immigrant visas and the remaining 63,313 as non-immigrant visas.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the pause, stating, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.” The suspension began on January 21 and has no defined end date while the review is underway.
This sweeping policy shift is likely affect families, skilled workers, and others awaiting U.S. residency.
