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Nigeria is among 75 countries impacted by a decision of the United States Department of State to pause immigrant visa issuance as it reviews screening and vetting procedures under existing immigration law.
The pause affects immigrant visa processing at US consulates and is linked to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision, which allows authorities to deny visas to applicants considered likely to depend on public assistance.
Consular officers have been directed to apply the rule more rigorously while the department conducts a broader reassessment of its immigration processes.
According to the directive, the suspension will take effect from January 21 and remain in place until the review is completed.
The policy covers a wide range of countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, significantly expanding the scope of US immigration scrutiny.
US officials say the move is aimed at strengthening immigration controls, preventing abuse of public benefit systems, and ensuring that prospective immigrants meet financial and self-sufficiency thresholds.
The review is also expected to recalibrate how factors such as health, age, financial capacity, and employment prospects are assessed during visa decisions.
For affected countries, including Nigeria, the pause introduces fresh uncertainty for applicants seeking permanent residence in the United States, as processing timelines and approval outcomes remain subject to the outcome of the ongoing policy reassessment.
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