The United States government revoked more than 100,000 visas last year, including approximately 8,000 student visas, a development that is expected to have significant implications for Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking entry to the US.
According to a statement posted by the US State Department on X, the visa revocations occurred over the course of 2025 under President Donald Trump’s administration. While the announcement did not break down the nationality of all affected visa holders, Nigerian applicants, particularly students and professionals, are understood to be among those impacted, given the size of Nigeria’s US‑bound travel and education market.
The State Department said revocations were carried out as part of routine diplomatic and legal processes, and that affected individuals are generally notified and given the opportunity to reapply if they wish. The department’s post specifically highlighted that roughly 8,000 student visas were among those cancelled, underscoring a tightening of immigration policy affecting both temporary academic stays and longer‑term travel authorisations.
Visa revocations can result from a variety of factors, including changes in immigration status, violations of US entry conditions, security considerations, or procedural reviews tied to updated vetting protocols. Officials did not elaborate on the precise reasons for the broader set of cancellations beyond saying they were consistent with ongoing enforcement of US immigration law.
The announcement comes amid broader scrutiny of US visa policy under the Trump administration, which has pursued a more restrictive approach to foreign entry across multiple fronts, including travel bans, increased enforcement actions, and tighter screening measures for work and study permits. The revocation figures add to concerns among prospective travellers, educational institutions, and diasporic communities about the overall accessibility of the US as a destination for study, business, and family visits.
Nigerian students have traditionally formed one of the largest African contingents in US universities. The cancellation of student visas has raised questions among education stakeholders about the confidence of Nigerian applicants and the potential impact on enrolment trends in American institutions.
The visa changes also intersect with broader debates on immigration policy, national security, and the future of bilateral ties between the United States and key African nations like Nigeria. Both governments have strong diplomatic and economic links, but visa policy remains a sensitive area with real‑world effects on travel, investment, education and family ties.
It remains unclear how many of the total revocations were ultimately reinstated or successfully appealed, as individuals retain the right to seek new visas or contest cancellations through established administrative channels.
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