US lifts visa freeze on Nigerian doctors, others

The United States has reversed a policy that suspended visa processing for foreign-trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and about 38 other countries to resume their applications.

According to a report by The New York Times, the earlier restriction—introduced in January—had halted decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green cards for citizens of nearly 39 countries under the US travel ban system.

The move left many foreign-trained doctors unable to practise.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now updated its guidelines to exempt medical doctors from the freeze, enabling their applications to move forward.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the development, stating that, “Applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing.”