The United States has resumed visa processing for Nigerian and other foreign-trained doctors, reversing a policy that had previously stalled their immigration applications.
According to a report by The New York Times, the decision allows affected medical professionals to continue with applications for visa renewals, work permits, and permanent residency (green cards).
The restriction, introduced in January, had suspended decisions on certain immigration applications involving citizens from about 39 countries. This left many foreign doctors, including Nigerians, uncertain about their employment status and future in the US.
However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has now revised its guidelines, exempting medical doctors from the earlier policy.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that applications related to medical professionals will continue to be processed without interruption.
The policy reversal is expected to bring relief to many foreign-trained doctors who were affected by the suspension. Some had reportedly been placed on administrative leave, while others faced possible job losses due to delays in immigration approvals.
Healthcare providers across the US had also expressed concerns over the policy’s impact, warning that it could worsen staffing shortages, particularly in underserved areas.
The decision comes at a time when the United States is grappling with a growing shortage of medical personnel. Authorities estimate a current shortfall of about 65,000 doctors, a figure projected to increase in the coming years.
Foreign-trained physicians make up roughly a quarter of the US healthcare workforce, playing a critical role in primary care and in communities with limited access to medical services.
With the resumption of visa processing, affected doctors can now proceed with their applications, helping to ease pressure on hospitals while securing their professional and immigration status.
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