US Finally Lifts Visa Ban On Nigerian, Foreign Doctors

The US has finally lifted the visa ban on Nigerian and foreign doctors.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that the US has resumed visa processing for Nigerian and other foreign doctors after reversing a policy that had frozen applications under its travel ban system.

Recall that earlier this year, the US imposed a blanket visa ban on multiple countries, including Nigeria, citing national security concerns.

The policy affected foreign doctors, including many Nigerians, who formed a significant number as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) withheld visa renewals.

However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its guidelines to exempt medical doctors from the restriction, allowing their applications to proceed.

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A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the development to The New York Times, stating that “Applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a separate statement made available to The New York Times.

The move comes amid a growing shortage of healthcare workers in the United States, where authorities estimate a deficit of about 65,000 doctors, a figure expected to rise in the coming years.

Foreign-trained doctors make up about a quarter of the US medical workforce, with many serving in primary care roles in underserved communities.

The earlier freeze had forced some doctors onto administrative leave, while others faced the risk of losing their jobs due to delays in visa approvals.

The policy shift is expected to ease pressure on hospitals and allow affected doctors, including Nigerians, to continue working.