14 African nations affected as the US expands temporary visa restrictions to include Nigeria

Key Takeaways

  • Africa is the hardest-hit region, with 14 countries under partial visa restrictions, including Nigeria, limiting travel for business, tourism, and study.
  • Temporary bans target B‑1/B‑2 visas for business and tourism, and may also affect F‑1 student, M‑1 vocational, and J exchange visitor visas, impacting students, trainees, and cultural exchange participants.
  • Other affected regions include the Caribbean, Asia, and South America, showing the temporary restrictions span multiple continents.
  • Exemptions exist for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, and travellers with valid pre-existing visas, so not all citizens from these countries are blocked from entering the US.

As of December 2025, the US imposed temporary restrictions on B‑1/B‑2 Business and Tourist Visas, F‑1 Student Visas, M‑1 Vocational Student Visas, and J Exchange Visitor Visas for 20 countries, making it harder for nationals to obtain new visas. The restrictions do not constitute an absolute ban; those holding valid visas, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, and other travellers under narrow exemptions may still enter the US.

The affected African countries are Angola, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Cuba are affected. Asian countries under temporary restrictions include Turkmenistan and Tonga, while South America is represented by Venezuela.

The temporary ban primarily suspends the new issuance of these visas, affecting business travellers, tourists, students, and exchange visitors. Africa is the most impacted region, highlighting the continued focus of US policy on selective travel restrictions while still allowing exceptions under specific circumstances.

Source:

whitehouse.gov

Period:

December 16, 2025
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14 African nations affected as the US expands temporary visa restrictions to include Nigeria
  • Africa is the hardest-hit region, with 14 countries under partial visa restrictions, including Nigeria, limiting travel for business, tourism, and study.
  • Temporary bans target B‑1/B‑2 visas for business and tourism, and may also affect F‑1 student, M‑1 vocational, and J exchange visitor visas, impacting students, trainees, and cultural exchange participants.
  • Other affected regions include the Caribbean, Asia, and South America, showing the temporary restrictions span multiple continents.
  • Exemptions exist for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, and travellers with valid pre-existing visas, so not all citizens from these countries are blocked from entering the US.
 
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