A sweeping United States travel policy set to take effect at the start of 2026 has begun affecting global travel plans and diaspora-linked businesses, after President Donald Trump announced expanded visa restrictions targeting dozens of countries, including Tanzania and Nigeria.
In a proclamation signed on December 16, 2025, Trump said the measures were necessary to protect U.S. national security, citing persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting and information-sharing by affected countries.
“We are protecting our nation and its citizens by using rigorous, security-focused screening and vetting procedures to ensure that individuals approved for a visa do not endanger national security or public safety,” the U.S. government said in a subsequent statement.
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, the United States will fully or partially suspend entry and visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries, expanding restrictions first introduced under an earlier order, Proclamation 10949.
The proclamation places Nigeria and Tanzania among 19 countries subject to partial visa suspensions, affecting B-1/B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M, and J student and exchange visas, alongside all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
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The move comes amid concerns over visa overstays and security risks. According to U.S. overstay data, Tanzania recorded a B-1/B-2 overstay rate of 8.30 percent and an F, M and J overstay rate of 13.97 percent.
Nigeria, on its part, posted 5.56 percent and 11.90 percent, respectively. U.S. authorities also cited the presence of extremist groups in parts of Nigeria as complicating vetting processes.
Tanzania and Nigeria citizens travelling to New York affected
Following the proclamation, Naomi Ogutu, a Kenyan entrepreneur living in the United States, took to Facebook to express shock, claiming that clients from Tanzania and Nigeria scheduled to travel to New York for the New Year informed her that their visas had been revoked.
Ogutu noted that the cancellations had hit her business hard, saying most of her clients come from Africa. According to her, she had already booked hotels and made partial payments for the visitors.
“I’m in shock! My clients from Tanzania and Nigeria coming for New Year’s in New York City are telling me they got emails their visas are revoked!” Ogutu wrote.
“Who will reimburse me? What to do now? My head is spinning. How are we going to survive this considering majority of my clients are from Africa?”
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She contrasted the situation with that of Kenyan travellers, saying five clients from Kenya had arrived without issues. “Thank God Kenya we are okay!!” she posted.
United States update on visa issuance to foreign nationals
However, the U.S. Department of State had issued guidance that contradicts claims of immediate visa revocations linked to the new proclamation.
In a detailed notice dated December 19, 2025, the Department of State said that Presidential Proclamation 10998 does not revoke existing visas.
“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation.”
It further said that visa applicants from affected countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but may be deemed ineligible for issuance under the new rules.
The Department of State added that several exceptions remain, including for lawful permanent residents, dual nationals using passports from countries with unrestricted travel, certain diplomatic and official visas, participants in major sporting events, and individuals granted case-by-case waivers in the U.S. national interest.
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