Niger in tit-for-tat visa ban targeting US

  Niamey has announced a total ban on issuing visas to American citizens and their entry into the country.

It is in response to restrictive measures imposed by the US administration against several African countries, as part of a policy marked by refocusing American diplomacy and hardening its immigration policy.

The Nigerien government decided this week to permanently prohibit the granting of visas to all American nationals and their entry into the country, according to the Nigerien Press Agency (ANP).

This reciprocal measure comes after Washington added Niger to the list of countries whose citizens no longer benefit from preferential entry to the United States. By Donald Trump

Niamey’s response is part of the diplomatic and security realignment undertaken by the American administration.

According to the Associated Press and White House sources, nearly 30 career American diplomats have been recalled from their posts worldwide to align diplomatic action with the “America First” doctrine, including 13 missions on the African continent, including Niger.

Furthermore, a U.S. presidential proclamation dated December 16, 2025, strengthened restrictions on access to U.S. territory, particularly targeting countries considered to pose a “high risk” to national security and migration management.

Niger is now on this list alongside Burkina Faso, Mali, and South Sudan.

For Nigerien authorities, this decision constitutes an assertion of national sovereignty and an unequivocal message.

“Niger is completely and permanently prohibiting the issuance of visas to all U.S. citizens and indefinitely banning entry to its territory for nationals of the United States,” a diplomatic source told the ANP.

According to Niamey, this measure reflects the country’s determination to respond proportionately to US restrictions while safeguarding its national interests, in line with the evolution of its foreign policy.

Africa remains the continent most affected by the mass recalls of diplomats and visa restrictions imposed by Washington.