U.S. Expands Travel Restrictions to Nigeria, Sahel States

The United States has expanded its travel restrictions to include several African countries, imposing a mix of full and partial entry limitations as part of a broader effort to tighten security screening and immigration controls.

Under a new presidential proclamation issued on December 16, 2025, countries linked to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, were placed under full entry restrictions, alongside South Sudan and Syria. The U.S. government cited deficiencies in vetting systems, information-sharing, and governance, as well as ongoing security concerns tied to extremist activity.

The updated measures maintain full restrictions on nationals of 12 countries previously designated as high-risk, including Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, Haiti, Yemen, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, according to the proclamation.

In addition, several other African nations are now subject to partial travel restrictions, including Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. U.S. officials stated that these limitations are primarily based on elevated visa overstay rates, inadequate passport controls, and gaps in civil documentation systems.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, was singled out for partial restrictions due to security challenges posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State affiliate, as well as difficulties in monitoring borders and visa compliance. U.S. data cited visa overstay rates of 5.56% for B-1/B-2 visas and 11.90% for FM and J visas for Nigerian nationals.

The proclamation allows for exemptions, including lawful permanent U.S. residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve U.S. national interests. Humanitarian and certain academic categories may also qualify for waivers.

U.S. officials indicated that the restrictions could be reviewed in the future if affected countries strengthen their security cooperation, documentation systems, and counterterrorism efforts. The move underscores Washington’s growing emphasis on vetting standards and border security in shaping foreign travel and immigration policy.

Business Insider Africa first published the report.