The United States has suspended visa processing for Nigerian travellers, adding the country to a growing list of nations facing fresh travel restrictions.
As a result of the decision, US authorities will no longer receive or process visa applications from Nigerians. The suspension is not limited to Nigeria, as it also affects applicants from countries such as Russia, Somalia, Brazil and Afghanistan, among others.
According to a report by Fox News on Wednesday, an internal memo from the US State Department revealed that the Donald Trump administration has halted visa processing for applicants from a total of 75 countries.
However, officials have yet to clarify how long the suspension will remain in place.
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The development comes barely a week after the US announced a new travel policy requiring Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000. That policy had not taken effect before the broader visa suspension was introduced.
News Round The Clock had earlier reported that the bond requirement was scheduled to begin on January 21. With the visa processing suspension also set to commence on the same date, it is expected to override the earlier policy.
Last month, the US also restricted entry for Nigerians travelling as green card holders or on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. American authorities cited concerns over high visa overstay rates and security challenges as justification for the measures.
The US has, in recent months, imposed both partial and full travel restrictions on several countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia.
More details are expected to emerge.
