The United States government has clarified that a proposed visa review affecting 36 countries is not a blanket travel ban on Africa or Nigeria.
- The United States clarified that a proposed visa review affecting 36 countries is not a blanket travel ban against Africa or Nigeria.
- US State Department spokesperson emphasized that the review is driven by national security mandates and not geographical considerations.
- Reports of an 18th June deadline were dismissed, stating no immediate travel restrictions would apply following this review.
This announcement came during a press briefing on Monday, where US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed concerns raised by journalists about the status of the plan.
Visa Review Not a Blanket Ban
During a press briefing on 17th June in Washington, D.C., Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the US State Department, confirmed that a proposed visa review impacting 36 countries is not a universal travel ban targeting Africa or Nigeria. She stated that the initiative is driven by national security requirements outlined in President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161. This order mandates stricter scrutiny of visa applicants to ensure they do not pose a threat to US public safety.
Geography Not a Factor
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Bruce emphasised that geography plays no part in the decision-making process. “The continent or location of a country is not a consideration,” she explained. “This is about whether we can trust the visa information provided by each country.” The review aims to assess how effectively foreign governments manage crucial processes such as identity verification, security information sharing, handling of visa overstays, and cooperation with the US on deportations. Nations that do not meet US standards will be asked to make improvements and given time to do so.
No immediate deadline
Contrary to reports suggesting an 18th June deadline for countries to submit action plans, Bruce clarified that this was incorrect. “They will have a considerable amount of time to rectify whatever the situation is,” she stated. “The goal is to reach a point where we can trust the process and the information provided by these countries. That’s how we determine visa eligibility.”
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Implications for Nigeria
For Nigeria, this means no immediate travel restrictions but a continuing need for cooperation with US authorities on visa documentation, security vetting, and related processes. Nigeria was previously affected by a similar policy in 2020 when it was added to a list of countries with restricted access to certain types of US visas due to concerns over data sharing and terrorist watchlist information.
Following high-level engagement and system upgrades, Nigeria was eventually removed from that list. This latest review appears to follow a similar structure, offering countries an opportunity to address identified weaknesses rather than imposing automatic bans. For the thousands of Nigerians seeking student visas, work permits, and tourist access to the US, the key will be how effectively the government continues to collaborate with Washington on security and identity verification procedures.
