The United States has reversed a policy that had suspended visa processing for foreign-trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and roughly 38 other countries to continue their applications.
According to a report by The New York Times, the restriction, introduced in January, had paused decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green card applications for citizens of nearly 39 countries under the U.S. travel ban framework.
The freeze placed some doctors on administrative leave, while others risked losing their jobs due to delays in approval.
However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has now revised its guidelines to exempt medical doctors from the restriction, enabling their applications to proceed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the update, stating, “Applications related to medical physicians will continue to be processed.”
The policy shift comes as the United States faces a worsening healthcare workforce shortage. Officials estimate a deficit of about 65,000 doctors, a gap projected to grow in the coming years.
Foreign-trained physicians account for approximately one-quarter of the U.S. medical workforce, with many working in primary care, especially in rural and underserved areas.
