₦airaland Forum

snoopy:
You are very correct. The problem is that the Trump administration at this point doesn't know how to hide its cruel, discriminatory and subtly racist policies anymore, so they are just all over the place looking for what to lay their hands on. They might likely appeal the 75-country order as usual or look for another way/loophole to reintroduce it

This administration is so predictable. They have now paused immigration visas worldwide, claiming they want to train all their staff. smh

https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/08/26/state-dept-pauses-immigrant-visa-appointments-worldwide-says-staff-need-training/

charliejose:
This is wrong information. You are mixing it up. Here is USCIS update on the court ruling. It is specifically for the 39 banned countries. Consular processing is still banned for countries in the presidential proclamation. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/court-order-on-hold-policies

That's clearly what I said. The 39-country ban remains unchanged. You are the one mixing it up.

Taal17:
Well if going my your information then DOS is the department responsible for consulars worldwide, it would seem unfair for a court ruling to declare the 75 country ban discriminatory and then still hold the 39 country ban in place.
Especially because this is specifically for immigrant visas.
The 39 country ban was wider than immigrants visas which already are not temporary visas like F,J,M and B.

Sigh....anyways let's see

You are very correct. The problem is that the Trump administration at this point doesn't know how to hide its cruel, discriminatory and subtly racist policies anymore, so they are just all over the place looking for what to lay their hands on. They might likely appeal the 75-country order as usual or look for another way/loophole to reintroduce it, as the ruling expressly stated that the Secretary of State, who controls the DOS, has no right to impose immigration restrictions by virtue of country of origin alone, based on the INA act of Congress because it was filed specifically on the basis of the 75-country ban.

The problem with the 39-country ban is that there is a subsisting Supreme Court order from 2018 in Trump's first term that ruled that the president could ban certain countries on a national security basis from immigrating to the US when he first banned the mostly Muslim countries then. That ruling from 2018 will more often than not take precedence; that's why the presidential proclamation was not challenged in court. The one that was challenged was the USCIS add-on ban on benefits adjudication for those already in the US. The hope is that they will lift it themselves because as it stands, not much has changed in Nigeria's situation.

Taal17:
The court ruling stays until USCIS appeals and the appeal is decided.

So consulars would be briefed on how to address those who have already been interviewed for them to come back for immigrant visa

From what I heard, the ruling doesn't make much difference for Nigeria, as the circumstances for the 75 countries' ban are different from the circumstances of the 39 countries' presidential proclamation ban, both of which Nigeria is on, with both being mutually exclusive.
The 75-country ban was done by the US State Department, not USCIS, with approval from the presidency over concerns on public charge, while the 39-country ban was a "national security" ban by a presidential proclamation. The court ruling only applies to the 75-country ban by the state department. The 39 country ban remains unchanged for now. Fingers crossed, though.

osenickki:
Thank you guys for explaining everything better for me.
My classes are in Spring 2027, Northeastern University, Boston. I just pray and hope before then the restrictions will be lifted.
But why do they allow Nigerians apply for the visas in the first place, since they can't approve them?.
God help us all.

Applications are still allowed because of Nigerians with dual nationality and other nationals who may be eligible. The burden is on whoever is applying to confirm their eligibility and be armed with the necessary information before applying in order not to waste their time and money.

My theory is that they are delaying the travel policy review because they are still finalizing the new policies as they go beyond just reviewing travel restrictions, they are basically restructuring the whole process. We've already been hearing snippets of these newly introduced policies but they haven't been officially released. Policies like termination of "duration of status" for student visas, for a 4-year visa duration, which can only be extended after filing an application with USCIS, if granted. and of course, the introduction of the visa bond for the visitor's visa, among other new policies.

So I strongly feel the restrictions will be lifted due to these policies when they eventually release them officially, which technically reduces the associated risks of visa abuse, identified as the cause for the restrictions in the first place. But then again, it's just my theory and not cast in stone.

whiteMandingo:
Nice update, the confusion this thing causes.
Someone assumed its same business as usual and forgot to check the i94 thoroughly, ended up staying for 38 days and discovered on their return they were only stamped in for 30 days.

Now worried about the implications of this on subsequent visits... If he would be turned back.
What do you think?
This nigerian passport wahala is just never ending

I feel its a deliberate trap set in order to have an excuse to deny as many people as possible from coming in because ideally they do stamp your i-94 on your passport for you to know when your stay expires, but since the presidential proclamation, they suddenly stopped. I know this because I went through CBP on December 16th, 2025, the day the procalamation was made and the i-94 was stamped on my passport just like previous times. But coming in last month, it wasn't stamped and it had to be confirmed from the website. It's deliberate, and one can't really be sure of the implications, especially these days when a minor misdemeanor could cause immigration problems.

TaxLawyer:
Can you just stop going around saying nonsense? You basically spew nonsense on this thread. Just stop ✋ 🛑

There is no collaboration between the schools and the white house. Schools can recruit students from anywhere in the world.

They would never not consider Nigerian students, moreover alot of people with admissions due for September 2026 in the USA applied before the ban was placed on Nigerian. Some even had their admissions already, some were in the process of their I-20 when the ban took effect.

Its just of recent that some schools are not even considering Nigerian students now, because they are like; if we give you the admission there is no way for you to resume. You would be turned back at the POE

Why? Cos Trump banned Nigerians from entering.

The Visa bond was placed on some other countries not only Nigeria, so get your facts right.

Placing a visa bond for tourism travels doesnt eliminate the visa ban proclamation. The visa ban can only be revoked by another proclamation stating that the visa ban is no longer in effect.

So please shut up and lets see front. And stop jumping around spewing nonsense.

It's obvious who this person is. His former account was banned, and he's back with a burner account.

Taal17:
Let's be cautious about saying things like ..it is the standard for H1B holders to get sponsored for green card 6months after resumption.
Thats not true and it can give false hopes

That choice is your employer's who still have to provide labor cert for to do adjustment of status to employment based visa EBs

EB visas already have backlogs and many H1B workers are still on that visa or considering other pathways

I understand your angle. However, prior to the agreement and signing, the employer already has all the benefits stated in writing, and most that I have seen have that green card sponsorship (they only don't sponsor premium processing and allow the worker to pay for that if they so wish). The bulk of H-1B sponsorships are in tech and health sectors, and most of them want to keep their workers beyond the stipulated 6 years. A lot of H-1Bs are on the backlog, including myself and spouse, BUT once you have an approved i-140, you can extend the H-1b beyond the 6 year limit. I have a lot of references in this regard, but as you have mentioned, it's not in all cases, but it would have been discussed prior to the agreement.

santos247:
Thanks. Its shocking to me as well. But I am 100% sure the main applicant is H-1B and he is the spouse.
I do not have the interview transcript yet but can get in touch if you allow me.
Thanks

Alright sure.

santos247:
Hey Boss,
My bro just got declined today at the US embassy. His spouse got the H-1B and planning to head to USA.
The usual "no strong attachment to home country" narrative. How soon can someone on H-1B get green card. By my thought spouse of green card holder can more easily secure US visa right? at least when Trump's policy is lifted?
Any advice or thoughts. I wont mind if I can get some personal conversation.

This is odd. They can't ask you about ties to your home country as an H-1B applicant or a spouse to an H-1B because typically, 90% of all H-1B ultimately end up with an EB green card. In fact, the standard is that the company that sponsors your H-1B proceeds to sponsor your EB green card application 6 months after resumption. The consular officers know this, so it's not a familiar or regular requirement unless the spouse applied for another category of visa other than H4, which is what I'm suspecting for that question to have come up.

You need to provide more information to determine what could have gone wrong. What embassy/consulate? Nigerian passport? are they legally married? If possible, the interview transcript.

MikeBlazee:
You need to be specific on what visa you applied for. Is it a visitor’s visa or student visa, and if it’s a student’s visa, was it fully funded?

You guys keep misunderstanding this issue.

No visa is being issued to Nigerians in B1/B2, F, M, or J categories! It is not about if you have been to the US 1000 times or if you have a fully funded scholarship. They WILL NOT give you a visa because of the presidential proclamation, even if you are qualified which the visa officers have been strictly mandated to enforce. The only exception being the national interest clause is not even straight forward as that in itself has to be directly approved by the director of the department of homeland security or the secretary of state and not the visa officer.

But then its a free world, anyone could still apply regardless of the warnings and experience the situation firsthand.

ozibambam:
Thank you. When did your old stamp expire? My stamp expires in December, can I do it earlier like in May?

The old stamp expired in January. I guess you had your current H-1b stamp before all visas were restricted to 3 months single entry. You will have to wait till the current one expires. If you apply in May, the visa given to you will expire in August even before your current one expires so it makes sense to just wait till the current expires and when it's close to when you intend to travel after the current one expires as you can still travel with the current one since its multiple entry

ozibambam:
Thank you for your detailed response. Good to know they are still giving stamp renewal. How stressful was it to get an appointment date?

Was pretty easy. Paid first week in February and dates were available as from the second week in Feb.

But there's a catch. At Abuja. Plenty dates are available all through till the end of the year. But for Lagos, I observed you could only choose dates in the particular month you schedule your interview and dates for the next month only become available on the last week of the preceding month.

Like I scheduled on 4th February, there were dates all through February only so I chose 27th. On the 23rd or so I saw that dates opened all through in March so I rescheduled to March 30th cuz I wanted the visa validity period to fall within the time I intend to travel.

ozibambam:
Hello, please has anyone recently renewed H1B stamp in Nigeria?

I went to renew my H-4 stamp on Monday, 30th March, at the Lagos consulate.

Transcript.

VO: Good morning, can I have your passport and your wife's I-797 approval notice?

Me: Here it is

VO: So is it like you travel back and forth? (She asked this because i had traveled in and out of the US 3 times in the last 15 months on an H4.)

Me: Yes (Gave her the reasons)

VO: So that means for every trip, you have to re-apply for a visa. (she said this because of the single entry rule for Nigeria and appeared sympathetic to the stress of reapplying everytime)

Me: Yes, I know it sucks, but it is what it is.

VO: when did you get married?

Me: Told her

VO: Where does your wife work, state and establishment

Me: Told her

VO: Hope it's not too cold for you

Me: We try to adapt.

VO: Have you been to Gaza or do you plan on going to Gaza?

Me: No

VO: Do you plan to go to Havard?

Me: No

VO: So we now do what we call an online presence review, to keep things interesting around here. I will start that process today and you'll get an email when to come and pick up your passport (She said this, handing me a 221g slip)

The visa status changed to Approved on 1st April after the social media review and changed to Issued on 2nd April

One thing I picked up from that interview, like many have said here, is that they are not giving anyone in the banned categories, NONE!

They will ask you the regular questions to see if they can flag anything from your responses that they can record for future reference and still deny you with the yellow slip, which contains the presidential proclamation.

A traditional ruler in his late 70's who has travelled the length and breadth of this world with children in US, Canada, Uk, and has been to the US an uncountable number of times, dressed in his full traditional regalia, was denied, and the old man couldn't believe it. He kept asking the VO, who got frustrated at a point and had to tell him that it's not her fault but the instruction they were given and that no one in those categories can get a visa unless the ban is lifted regardless of qualification.

Everyone on the line already prepared themselves to be denied, as you could hear the murmuring. Even me, I had to start praying on the line because the gloomy atmosphere started getting to me even though my category is not affected. People were looking at me like I was an alien as I walked out because mine had a different outcome, as they could obviously hear the transcript, even though they put me on 221g.

A lady came for an F-1 interview without an I-20 and said the school cited the visa ban for not issuing her the I-20. Amentum didn't even allow her to enter the embassy premises, as they told her the I-20 is the basis for even scheduling the interview in the first place, and her "trying her luck" without the I-20 won't work.

The H-1b renewal should be seamless provided you are in status and have a valid reason to travel out of your place of employment, it is even easier than H-4, aside from the social media vetting, because they will first vet my spouse's H-1b status before vetting my own H-4.

Good luck.

Wow! all priority dates for EB2 is now current

Lekan2348:
Major update:

Did my interview today and I just wasted my time going

Nobody is being issued visas. At all. They will interview you normally, ask you all the questions they want to ask as if everything is fine then at the end they will tell you that they cannot issue you visa because of the ban, give you a white slip and then tell you to re apply after the ban is lifted.

Wasted my time. Naturally I would’ve postponed my interview but I already used up all the 5 date changes so my sacrifice is for everyone’s benefit here.

Postpone your interviews till later, indefinitely. Nobody is issuing visas to Nigerians. As far as b1/b2, f1 are concerned

Thanks for the feedback. its what we all suspected. I believe that puts to rest all the speculations and some of the misinformation going around.

Lekan2348:
Looks like interview might actually still be going on and people might be getting visas. Our neighbors have new slots so clearly they’ve been interviewing people before all this while and most likely issuing visas. Even though they were banned like us

Ghana's non-immigrant visas weren't banned unlike Nigeria's

Geist:
So this means every time you travel back. Say to visit. You have to reapply for another 90days?

Exactly. You have to reapply to travel back within another 90 days of the visa being issued. It's kind of the same situation with the student's visa before it was restricted.

Geist:
Please how long is the H-1b visa validity after approval? Is there a timeline one must travel and enter the US before it expires?

H-1B is a petition-based visa and typically issued for 6 years maximum with an initial 3 years issued and a further 3-year extension. But for Nigeria, they will only issue you a 90 days, single entry visa just for travel as they had been doing for all visas. At POE, the i-94 and consequent exit date will reflect the duration approved for your petition.

Sirleecoded:
Anyone on 221g for H1b visa and got approval lately

Just to encourage. The person I mentioned earlier that had been on 221g for H-1b since last year just got approved yesterday. Hopefully your person gets approved too.

Missbeauty001:
My friend's F-1 visa was approved recently but according to her about 80% of those who had visa appointment at the same time with her were denied

Burner account?

DanielSanctus:
I checked the US IMMIGRATION SITE just now
We can actually proceed for our F1 visa

This has been there way before the whole ban/restriction thing started. It's not a new instruction bar the H-1B and H-4 that the instruction included on December 15th and it's a general instruction to all stated applicants worldwide, not country-specific. It definitely does not supersede/change the existing/current situation.

earnvest:
The case was re-affirmed as "refused" last week. They are looking but not ready to approve, even though the H category is not a part of the ban.

Was it updated in any way, or had it not changed from the initial "refused" (under section 221g) from the interview? and how did you know they are looking but not ready to approve? Also, is it a first application or a renewal? Then the situation of the primary H-1b applicant. These are things that could also play a role in the timing of the vetting period. Lastly if it's a first application and the couple didn't go for the interview together, the primary scrutiny will be the proof of marriage. Did you use an Ikoyi registry marriage certificate or a church-issued marriage certificate? i doubt that will be a factor, though, because if they had any doubts about marriage proof, they wouldn't even collect the passport to begin with, as the whole essence of the H-4 is hinged on being the lawful spouse of an H-1b.

Sirleecoded:
my case last updated do change from the last time is submitted my last document
It changed august September October November and the last changed was December

Oh ok. it will turn out positively by Gods grace.

Sirleecoded:
I guess you’re right cos my case is on 221g since December 2024 and I have submitted the requested documents to the embassy … the last document I submitted was may 23rd 2025
I’m the first set the my employer will file for

Wow! 221g for a year is a long time, though. Your I-797 approval notice is usually for an initial 3 years, which means 1 year is already gone. Please contact the embassy to find out the update, as you can reach out to them after 60 days without hearing from them.

earnvest:
I know someone on 221g for H4. Visa interview was on the 31st of December and they took the passport. Status hasn't changed online since then.

They introduced social media vetting for H-1B and H4 on December 15th, 2025, which is probably the reason for the slight delay, added with the holidays. The fact they collected the passport is already positive; they will issue it pending if they don't find anything of concern on the social media. I was placed on 221g when I applied for my H4 in October last year and they likewise collected my passport. Before I got home from the interview, the status had already changed to approved. Fingers crossed, it will be approved.

Sirleecoded:
has the person reached out to the embassy

You can only reach out after 60 days with no response.

Sirleecoded:
Anyone on 221g for H1b visa and got approval lately

I know someone who has been on 221g for H-1B since October and hasn't been approved nor denied. I also know someone who was on 221g in the same October and was approved just 1 week after. I think the employer is the issue. If it's an employer that has filed for H-1B several times, it could be easier. if the employer is fairly new in the biz, it could result in long vetting periods..

Endoscope:
Good morning ,

has anyone attended or knows anyone that attended a B1/B2 visa appointment in Lagos since January 1? what was the outcome ? Are they turning people back at the gate or let you enter to waste your time ?

I am asking because my mum has an appointment on the 15th January, in Lagos and we are thinking of just cancelling it as i get the impression it would just be a waste of everyone's time. Appointment 1.5 years in the making that we have been waiting for.

Interestingly, you can still book appointments in Abuja up until March/April 2026 , but only until January 16 in Lagos , even though Uncle T has banned everyone which is bizarre. Why offer appointments if there is a ban?

Anyone with recent experience or insight and happy to share ? This will be most appreciated.

Reports from those who have attended interviews since Jan 1 indicate they are being refused, citing the presidential proclamation as reason. Only those who can prove their visit is in the National interest of the US are being considered. I believe the appointment slots were left open for those in that category.

D27finny:
Hello everyone,I have been a long time silent reader here and I learnt alot for my interview
I got the Visa.here is what they asked.( I went with my husband)

Vo: good morning can I have your passport

My husband: handed him

VO: what's the purpose of your trip?

My husband: I am taking my wife on a short couple trip because since having our babies and work, we have not had time for our ourselves, since I school there, I would like to show her arround

Vo: typing (I don't even know if he was listening )

Vo; you school there was it physical or online

My husband: physical( proceeded to show his old passport with the visa in it

Vo: do you have investment in your house??( him realising the question was wrong, he looked at me and we both laugh, and he corrected it and said do you own ur house ?

Me: I said yes since he was looking at me knowing I was the one that caught that .

Vo: continue typing .. and asked how much do you earn

Me and hubby replied.: our combined was a million plus.. since we work in the same place

Vo: (not looking at us..asked have u been to gaza

Me: I just giggled and said no ooo.(my husband didnt really hear the question so I repeated it to him and said ..gaza so we can go and die..

Vo: smiled... and typed alil... then proceeded to say your visa has been granted , and handed us the white paper..

Please note they denied everyone in our front ,even a whole family with their kids,so me and my hubby had already said no need to expect much sha.. therefore we were kinda relaxed.it was all a grace of God

Congratulations. Once the questions get to "Do you have plans of going to Gaza? Do you plan on going to harvard? Do you have plans to go and give birth? Your visa is already 95% approved, as those questions are confirmatory questions to be sure you will be not a person of concern when you get to the U.S. The U.S under the Trump administration has a strong opposition to anyone who is sympathetic to Palestine and shows any form of opposition to Israel. Harvard because of the anti-semitic protests that rocks the institution from time to time.

crowniran:
Thank you, it was issued after two days. Please, can I meet you? It’s seems you have been in the US for a while now. I understand H4 visa is restrictive. I need guidance and OT how to make the best use of it and support my partner

Yes, the H4 visa is restrictive in the sense that you are not allowed to work. However, there's a way around it.

Typically H-1B visa holders transition to an EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa. So the way around it is for the primary H-1b holder to file an I-140 immigrant visa application (the H-1b employer usually applies after 6 months of satisfactory work by the H-1b staff). They could apply using a priority application (this usually takes 3 weeks max) or a non-priority application (over 1 year). I will advise that if the employer does not choose to apply using priority, the primary applicant can suggest to pay for it depending on how long you would like to get over with the process.

Once the I-140 is approved, meaning you already have an approved immigrant visa application and are only waiting for your priority date to be current, you can then apply for H4 EAD (Employment Authorization), which typically takes 6-8 months depending on the volume of applications. This will then allow you to work with your H4 and support your spouse.

crowniran:
Hi, I have the same issue and was asked to provide additional documents to show proof of relationship. Know of an estimated timeline?

i believe its a first issue. would usually take around 1 week for them to do all the background checking. mine was a renewal and my 221g was most likely for social media vetting which is why it took less than 24 hours.