The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reinstated strict visa policies affecting Nigerians and other foreign nationals, amid ongoing tensions with the Bola Tinubu government over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The new directive revives the controversial “public charge” rule, which allows U.S. consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits while living in the United States. According to a State Department cable obtained by Fox News Digital, the policy is to be enforced immediately across American embassies and consulates worldwide.

Under the revived rule, visa applicants will be evaluated based on multiple factors, including health, age, financial stability, English proficiency, and long-term medical needs. Consular officers are instructed to take a holistic approach, examining all aspects of an applicant’s case — from the visa petition and medical reports to affidavits of support and any other relevant information.

Older applicants or those with long-term medical care needs may face stricter scrutiny, as the policy notes that institutional care can be extremely costly. The cable emphasizes that each consular officer has full discretion to determine whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge, with no “bright line” test.

This move follows Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidisation of Open Borders”, aimed at ensuring that U.S. taxpayers do not fund benefits for unqualified foreigners. The guidance represents a full return to the broader Trump-era interpretation of public charge, which was rolled back under the Biden administration.

For Nigerians seeking student, work, or family-based visas, this policy change could mean longer processing times and higher denial rates, especially for applicants with limited financial resources or older age.

The reinstatement of this policy highlights a significant tightening of U.S. immigration standards abroad, signaling that applicants will now face more comprehensive vetting than under the Biden-era rules.