₦airaland Forum

ImmiPathways:
No it wouldn't

How sure are you that it wouldn’t?

EBs are under immigrant visa

ImmiPathways:
No it wouldn't

will it affect people tht already have visa if they travel before 1st january ?

yad2eidi:
will it affect people tht already have visa if they travel before 1st january ?

No, it wouldn't before Jan 1st

ImmiPathways:
No it wouldn't

Kindly elaborate more on this pls.

EB-2 NIW wait time may not be as bad as many fear.

For example:
Someone who filed EB-2 NIW on Oct 14, 2024 may be able to file Adjustment of Status around Jan 2026 — roughly 15 months. That’s not insignificant, but it’s also not hopeless.

Some practical thoughts 👇

1️⃣ File NIW as early as possible
Once your profile reasonably qualifies, filing early helps:
• Lock in a priority date
• Reduce future uncertainty
• Often lowers RFE risk compared to rushed filings later

2️⃣ If NIW is approved but time is critical, consider EB-1A — cautiously
Only if:
• EB-1 remains current
• Your profile is genuinely top-tier
• You are confident you meet the very high EB-1A standard
EB-1A is not a shortcut; it’s a different, stricter test.

3️⃣ If you receive an RFE, don’t rush your response
An RFE is not a denial.
Take time to:
• Strengthen evidence
• Clarify arguments
• Get help from someone truly experienced
This is one place where paying for quality guidance can matter.

4️⃣ If EB-2 NIW is denied, don’t give up
Denial ≠ end of the road.
Many successful NIWs are approved on refiling after:
• Better positioning
• Stronger national interest framing
• Improved evidence

5️⃣ If EB-1A is denied, EB-2 NIW may still be viable
These categories have different legal standards.
An EB-1A denial does not automatically mean you fail EB-2 NIW.

6️⃣ One more point people overlook
Your long-term strategy matters more than speed alone.
Priority dates, visa bulletin movement, profile growth, and timing all interact.

In the end:
Green cards come to those who plan well, position themselves wisely, and don’t quit.

Patience + strategy + persistence still work.

URGENT: Trump Expands Travel Ban - Nigeria Now Affected (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
I made a detailed video explaining everything: See profile for YouTube link...

Fellow Nairaland members,

President Trump signed a new proclamation on December 16, 2025. Nigeria is now under PARTIAL travel restrictions starting January 1, 2026.

WHAT'S SUSPENDED FOR NIGERIANS:
- B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business visas)
- F visas (Student)
- M visas (Vocational)
- J visas (Exchange)
- Immigrant visas (Consular processing)

WHAT'S STILL AVAILABLE:
- H-1B (Specialty workers)
- L-1 (Intracompany transfer)
- O-1 (Extraordinary ability)
- E-2 (Treaty investor)

IMPORTANT: If you already have a valid visa issued before Jan 1, 2026, it will NOT be revoked.

If you're already in the U.S., you can still pursue EB-1A or EB-2 NIW through Adjustment of Status.



Be Prepared, Be Proactive.

yad2eidi:
will it affect people tht already have visa if they travel before 1st january ?

Doesn't not affect those who have valid visas issued before 1 Jan 2026 which is the effective date of the travel restriction ban.

ProfDanUSgreenc:
URGENT: Trump Expands Travel Ban - Nigeria Now Affected (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
I made a detailed video explaining everything: See profile for YouTube link...

Fellow Nairaland members,

President Trump signed a new proclamation on December 16, 2025. Nigeria is now under PARTIAL travel restrictions starting January 1, 2026.

WHAT'S SUSPENDED FOR NIGERIANS:
- B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business visas)
- F visas (Student)
- M visas (Vocational)
- J visas (Exchange)
- Immigrant visas (Consular processing)

WHAT'S STILL AVAILABLE:
- H-1B (Specialty workers)
- L-1 (Intracompany transfer)
- O-1 (Extraordinary ability)
- E-2 (Treaty investor)

IMPORTANT: If you already have a valid visa issued before Jan 1, 2026, it will NOT be revoked.

If you're already in the U.S., you can still pursue EB-1A or EB-2 NIW through Adjustment of Status.



Be Prepared, Be Proactive.

Okay, I agree with you but I want to ask 2 questions
1. What will be the faith of those that are scheduled for Interview in January and February 2026 respectively, will the interview still go ahead?
2. Also, will the embassy still send IL to any applicants that are current based on VB monthly.

Good day everyone.

Someone should please add me to the telegram group.

Here is my email
omoo4success@gmail.com

Ak4me:
Okay, I agree with you but I want to ask 2 questions
1. What will be the faith of those that are scheduled for Interview in January and February 2026 respectively, will the interview still go ahead?
2. Also, will the embassy still send IL to any applicants that are current based on VB monthly.

For Q1
Unless the consulate reschedule your dates to before Jan 1st, the consulate won't be able to issue the immigrant visa from Jan 1st 2026

Till the ban is lifted unfortunately , sigh

Omoocash:
Good day everyone.

Someone should please add me to the telegram group.

Here is my email


ikumapayi.omolayo@gmail.com

Me too
glocutey111@gmail.com

All these adding to telegram and whatsapp groups is what killed this site back in 2015 till 2021 it was a goldmine of knowladge and thats why I stopped coming here.

Ghele:
Me too
glocutey111@gmail.com

Hello all,

With this, can we still submit petitions for EB's?

kindly add me to the Telegram group xavier2601@yahoo.com

dest4real:
Hello all,

With this, can we still submit petitions for EB's?

Yes you can,
You'd still have a few years before it gets to visa issuance stage.
The ban is on visa issuance, besides ban will be reviewed in 180days or less.

Taal17:
Yes you can,
You'd still have a few years before it gets to visa issuance stage.
The ban is on visa issuance, besides ban will be reviewed in 180days or less.

Thank you.
Please, with 520 citations, over 45 published articles in local and international journals, Fellow Royal Society of Biology (UK), external examiner for about three different Universities in Nigeria, Reviewer for journal bodies (about 3), published work about me ( 3 international magazine; 2 Locals), Won grant from TETFUND Nigeria, served as HOD, University e-Exam Chairman, Deputy Director Research and Innovations. Which category can this profile apply for? EB1A or EB2 (NIW).

Thank you.

dest4real:
Thank you.
Please, with 520 citations, over 45 published articles in local and international journals, Fellow Royal Society of Biology (UK), external examiner for about three different Universities in Nigeria, Reviewer for journal bodies (about 3), published work about me ( 3 international magazine; 2 Locals), Won grant from TETFUND Nigeria, served as HOD, University e-Exam Chairman, Deputy Director Research and Innovations. Which category can this profile apply for? EB1A or EB2 (NIW).

Thank you.

Sounds like a good EB1A profile

You meet 6 criteria
1. Published work
2. Media
3. Membership
4. Critical role
5. Original contribution
6. Judging

My advice is for you to apply with premium processing, so you can get your feedback in few days. The other option will be to apply for both NIW and EB1A together (non premium).

Thanks

horlahsunbo225:
Sounds like a good EB1A profile

You meet 6 criteria
1. Published work
2. Media
3. Membership
4. Critical role
5. Original contribution
6. Judging

My advice is for you to apply with premium processing, so you can get your feedback in few days. The other option will be to apply for both NIW and EB1A together (non premium).

Good day to all.
Good responses @horlahsunbo225. Please, just an enquiry. Is there organization that supports EB1 or 2 applicants with loans and repayment plan, just like Empower for F1 students.

dest4real:
Thank you.
Please, with 520 citations, over 45 published articles in local and international journals, Fellow Royal Society of Biology (UK), external examiner for about three different Universities in Nigeria, Reviewer for journal bodies (about 3), published work about me ( 3 international magazine; 2 Locals), Won grant from TETFUND Nigeria, served as HOD, University e-Exam Chairman, Deputy Director Research and Innovations. Which category can this profile apply for? EB1A or EB2 (NIW).

Thank you.

Congratulations. You are qualified for both. Now the ball is in your court. You decide how you want to play it.

JO01:
Good day to all.
Good responses @horlahsunbo225. Please, just an enquiry. Is there organization that supports EB1 or 2 applicants with loans and repayment plan, just like Empower for F1 students.

Loans for what? To pay for processing fees?

JO01:
Good day to all.
Good responses @horlahsunbo225. Please, just an enquiry. Is there organization that supports EB1 or 2 applicants with loans and repayment plan, just like Empower for F1 students.

Hmmm. I never heard of that. Maybe in IT fields and those Indian companies gaming the H1b and EB visas

Taal17:
Loans for what? To pay for processing fees?

Taal17:
Loans for what? To pay for processing fees?

Yes please , a reliable organization or individual, if possible.

NVC has invited me for a visa interview in Feb 2026, despite the visa ban. Is any one in thesame situation?

Congrats!

Multiple feedback from my network indicates the same thing - all received Dec 31. E be like na general market season of exemption. May the good news continue.

mk3jax:
NVC has invited me for a visa interview in Feb 2026, despite the visa ban. Is any one in thesame situation?

WanderingChild:
Congrats!

Multiple feedback from my network indicates the same thing - all received Dec 31. E be like na general market season of exemption. May the good news continue.

Yes the invite came in Dec 31st. Just curious whether the general immigration visa ban could affect the outcome

mk3jax:
NVC has invited me for a visa interview in Feb 2026, despite the visa ban. Is any one in thesame situation?

Congratulations! When were you DQed?

atrapon:
Congratulations! When were you DQed?

August 2023

mk3jax:
August 2023

that’s awesome. EB2 or EB3?

Fellow Nigerians,

This is an urgent update that affects every Nigerian with a pending U.S. immigration application.

On January 1, 2026, USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 went into effect. This policy places a HOLD on ALL pending immigration benefit applications for nationals from 39 countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10998.

Nigeria is on the PARTIAL BAN list.

WHAT APPLICATIONS ARE AFFECTED?

- I-485 (Adjustment of Status / Green Card)
- I-140 (Immigrant Petition)
- I-765 (Employment Authorization Document / Work Permit)
- I-131 (Advance Parole / Travel Document)
- N-400 (Naturalization / Citizenship)
- I-130 (Family-Based Petitions)

WHAT DOES "HOLD" MEAN?

Your case can still be processed — USCIS can issue RFEs, schedule biometrics, conduct interviews. However, NO FINAL DECISION will be made. No approval. No denial. Your case is essentially frozen until the USCIS Director lifts the hold.

There is NO END DATE specified in the policy.

EB-2 NIW AND EB-1A APPLICANTS

Exception #8 in the policy references cases that benefit the "U.S. national interest." This sounds like it could apply to NIW and EB-1A petitioners. However:

- It is NOT automatic
- Requires USCIS Headquarters approval
- Case-by-case determination
- Higher burden than just meeting the NIW/EB-1A criteria

EAD HOLDERS — VERY IMPORTANT

If you have a work permit (EAD) based on your pending Adjustment of Status (category c)(9)), your renewal is SUBJECT TO THE HOLD. This category is NOT excepted.

If your EAD is expiring in the coming months, please consult an immigration attorney immediately.

ALREADY GOT YOUR GREEN CARD?

If your case was approved after January 20, 2021, USCIS may re-review your case. They will check against:

- Terrorist screening databases
- Criminal connections
- Identity verification

Keep all your documents organized.

OTHER COUNTRIES AFFECTED

Full Ban (19 countries): Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Cuba, DRC, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Mali, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen

Partial Ban (20 countries): Nigeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritania, Moldova, Myanmar, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

1. Don't panic — this is a hold, not a denial
2. Maintain your current visa status (F-1, H-1B, etc.)
3. Keep all documents organized and accessible
4. Consult a qualified immigration attorney
5. Monitor USCIS.gov for policy updates
6. Prepare documentation for potential exception requests

I have created a detailed Q&A video explaining all 12 critical questions about this policy. Please watch on YouTube (see profile) and share:

If you know anyone with a pending U.S. immigration case, please share this information with them.

Be Prepared. Be Proactive.