President Trump has expanded America’s travel restrictions, placing Nigeria on a list of countries facing partial entry limitations as part of a broader tightening of immigration controls set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The new measures, announced on December 16, 2025, mark a significant escalation of U.S. travel policy under Trump’s second term, with several countries subjected to outright bans and others, including Nigeria, facing selective restrictions affecting key visa categories.
Under the proclamation, the United States imposed a full travel ban on citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals travelling with Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents, effectively restricting entry for Palestinians. These additions come on top of countries already under full bans earlier in 2025, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, was placed under partial travel restrictions, alongside about 14 other nations from Africa and the Caribbean, including Angola, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The partial restrictions are expected to affect commonly used visa categories, notably tourist, student and business visas, although exemptions may apply in certain cases.
U.S. officials said the policy is aimed at strengthening border security and tightening vetting procedures. However, critics argue that the move could strain diplomatic relations and disrupt education, business and family ties between the United States and affected countries.
While a full travel ban largely bars citizens of listed countries from entering the U.S. under most visa categories, partial restrictions allow limited entry, with tighter scrutiny and
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