The United States has reversed a policy that previously suspended visa processing for foreign-trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and about 38 other countries to resume applications for employment and residency.
The decision signals a shift in immigration enforcement following earlier travel-related restrictions that disrupted healthcare staffing, particularly in rural and underserved areas that depend heavily on international medical workers, according to The New York Times.
The suspension, introduced in January under a Department of Homeland Security policy tied to an expanded travel ban affecting nationals from 39 countries, halted visa renewals, work permits, and green card processing. This affected a broad group of applicants, including foreign doctors already practising in the U.S.
As the restrictions took effect, hospitals in several states reportedly faced staffing shortages. Some international physicians were placed on administrative leave, while others experienced uncertainty over their job security due to unresolved immigration status.
Last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services quietly updated its guidelines, granting exemptions for medical professionals. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that “applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing,” effectively restoring visa and work authorisation procedures for doctors.
The U.S. is currently grappling with a shortage of about 65,000 physicians, a figure expected to rise as demand for healthcare increases due to an ageing population and the retirement of many practising doctors.
Foreign-trained physicians play a crucial role in addressing this gap, with over 60 percent working in primary care fields such as family medicine, internal medicine, and paediatrics—areas often less attractive to local graduates due to high workloads and comparatively lower pay.
Reacting to the development, Rebecca Andrews, chair of the Board of Regents at the American College of Physicians, welcomed the move, highlighting the importance of international doctors in sustaining healthcare delivery.
The policy reversal comes amid broader immigration measures expected to extend travel restrictions to 39 countries, including Nigeria, by 2026. However, officials noted that exemptions would apply to certain groups, including healthcare professionals considered vital to national interests.
