The United States government has suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications for Nigerian nationals, following an expansion of its immigration and travel restriction policies.
The development is part of a broader U.S. move affecting several countries, with Nigeria placed under what officials describe as partial immigration restrictions. The policy does not amount to a total travel ban but significantly limits access to permanent residency and naturalisation pathways.
According to reports, the suspension applies to new and pending applications for permanent residence and U.S. citizenship filed by Nigerians. The affected categories include family-based immigration, diversity visa programmes and other immigrant petitions.
U.S. authorities cited national security concerns, visa overstay rates and documentation verification challenges as reasons for the action. The move aligns with wider immigration reforms aimed at tightening vetting processes for applicants from selected countries.
While the halt impacts Nigerians seeking permanent settlement, reports indicate that existing green card holders and U.S. citizens of Nigerian origin are not affected by the policy. Non-immigrant visas such as student and visitor visas have not been outrightly banned, though applicants may face increased scrutiny.
The expanded restrictions are expected to take effect fully from January 1, 2026, with immigration processing already scaled back ahead of the implementation date.
The decision has sparked concern among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, many of whom rely on family reunification and employment-based migration routes to the United States.
