Nigeria, Ghana…Trump considers visa ban for 25 countries – see full list
US President Donald Trump considers adding Nigeria and others to visa ban list Mandatory Credit: Photo by Evan Vucci/AP/Shutterstock (10434333bm) Donald Trump, Sauli Niinisto. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington Trump, Washington, USA – 02 Oct 2019
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a new round of travel restrictions, which could impact Nigeria and 24 other African countries. According to a memo obtained by The Washington Post, the proposed policy is part of a broader immigration strategy aimed at tightening U.S. border security and reducing visa overstays.
The draft memo, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a plan to impose visa restrictions or outright entry bans on up to 36 countries, with Africa making up the bulk of the list. Countries flagged have been given a 60-day window to meet updated security and documentation benchmarks set by the U.S. State Department.
The benchmarks include credible civil registration systems, reliable identity documentation, and a willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities on immigration enforcement. Several nations were highlighted for failing to curb high visa overstay rates and lacking robust identification infrastructure, often due to systemic fraud or weak governance.
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Affected countries have been asked to submit initial action plans by mid-June, detailing how they intend to meet the new standards. While the U.S. State Department declined to comment on the memo, the White House has yet to issue an official position.
This latest proposal mirrors Trump’s earlier travel ban policies, which were widely criticised for targeting Muslim-majority and African countries. Observers warn the current plan, if implemented, could strain diplomatic ties and severely limit mobility for thousands of African nationals.
The 25 African countries reportedly under consideration include:
Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Diplomatic conversations are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as governments scramble to avoid formal inclusion in the final list.