The United States has lifted suspension on visa for foreign-trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and about 38 other countries to resume their applications.
The New York Times reports that the earlier restriction—introduced in January—had suspended decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green cards for citizens of nearly 39 countries under the US travel ban system.
The decision forced many foreign-trained doctors to stop practice.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now exempted medical doctors from the earlier restriction, thus now ready to accept new applications.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said “Applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing.”
The policy reversal was sequel to an escalating healthcare staffing crisis in the US, where authorities estimate a shortage of about 65,000 doctors—a gap expected to widen in the coming years.
Foreign-trained physicians constitute a quarter of the US medical workforce, with many serving in primary care roles, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The earlier visa restrictions had made some doctors to take administrative leave, while others were confronted with potential job losses due to stalled approvals.
With the resumption of visa applications, it is expected to ease pressure on hospitals and allow affected doctors, including Nigerians, to continue their practice.
