Nigeria Added to US Travel Restriction List: What You Need to Know

The United States has placed Nigeria on its list of countries facing partial travel restrictions, citing security and visa-related concerns. The move was announced in a presidential proclamation issued on December 16, 2025.

According to U.S. officials, Nigeria has struggled with screening travelers, sharing security information, and managing visa compliance, while ongoing threats from groups like Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates have complicated vetting.

The new measures apply to specific visa types, including tourist, student, exchange, and some immigrant visas. Current visa holders, permanent residents, and select exempt categories, such as diplomats, are mostly unaffected. Case-by-case waivers may also be granted.

Several other African countries, including Angola, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, are subject to similar partial restrictions. Meanwhile, nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria face full entry bans.

The restrictions will take effect January 1, 2026, and Nigerians planning to travel to the U.S. should monitor consular updates closely, as visa approvals may become more stringent or limited in duration.

The U.S. government noted that these measures could be revised if Nigeria strengthens its security processes and improves cooperation on immigration and counterterrorism efforts.