America restarts issuing visas to medical professionals from Nigeria and other countries, according to reports

The United States has reinstated visa processing for doctors from Nigeria and other countries, following a reversal of a policy that had put their applications on hold under the travel ban system, as reported by The New York Times on Sunday.

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This policy, which was introduced in January, had previously suspended decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green cards for citizens of around 39 countries, thereby preventing many foreign-trained doctors from practicing medicine.

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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now revised its guidelines, exempting medical doctors from the travel ban restrictions, and allowing their visa applications to move forward.

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A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed this development, stating that visa applications for medical physicians would continue to be processed.

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This change in policy comes at a time when the United States is facing a significant shortage of healthcare workers, with an estimated deficit of approximately 65,000 doctors, a number that is expected to increase in the coming years.

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Foreign-trained doctors, who make up around a quarter of the US medical workforce, play a crucial role in the healthcare system, particularly in primary care roles within underserved communities.

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The initial freeze on visa applications had resulted in some doctors being placed on administrative leave, while others were at risk of losing their jobs due to delays in the visa approval process.

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The revised policy is expected to alleviate pressure on hospitals and enable affected doctors, including those from Nigeria, to resume their work without interruption.