The United States has reversed its policy suspending visa processing for foreign trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and about 38 other countries to resume their applications.
According to a report by The New York Times, the restriction introduced in January had paused decisions on visa renewals, work permits, and green cards for citizens of nearly 39 countries affected under the US travel ban system.
The policy had left many foreign-trained doctors unable to continue practising medicine in the country.
However, US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now updated its guidelines to exempt medical doctors from the freeze, allowing their applications to proceed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the development, stating that applications related to medical physicians will continue to be processed.
The decision comes amid a growing healthcare staffing crisis in the US, where authorities estimate a shortage of about 65,000 doctors, with the gap expected to increase in the coming years.
Foreign-trained physicians account for nearly a quarter of the US medical workforce, with many serving in primary healthcare roles, especially in rural and underserved communities.
The earlier visa suspension had forced some doctors into administrative leave, while others faced the risk of losing their jobs due to delayed approvals.
With visa processing now restored, the move is expected to ease pressure on hospitals and enable affected doctors, including Nigerians, to continue their medical practice in the US.
