By Ibrahim Ibrahim
No fewer than 5,000 Nigerians planning to immigrate to the United States may face delays following a new visa restriction order signed by President Donald Trump. The policy affects Nigeria and 74 other countries.
Data from the US Consulate in Lagos show that 5,626 immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians in 2023, an increase from 4,219 in 2022. Analysts say the new measure could disrupt thousands of applications processed yearly.
The US State Department confirmed that immigrant visa processing for 75 countries will be paused from January 21 until further notice. Officials said the review is to address screening, security, and welfare concerns.
The restriction is part of a broader immigration policy that also includes a visa bond of up to $15,000 for nationals of 38 countries, including Nigeria. The bond targets countries with high visa overstay rates.
Former Nigerian diplomats criticised the policy, describing it as unfair and contrary to America’s long-standing support for global mobility. They noted that Nigerians in the US are largely skilled, hardworking, and law-abiding.
They urged the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic engagement with Washington to ensure Nigeria is removed from the affected countries list and to protect bilateral relations.
