By Peter Omopo
The United States has resumed visa processing for foreign-trained doctors, including those from Nigeria, reversing an earlier policy that had temporarily halted their applications.
According to a report by The New York Times, the restriction, introduced in January, had suspended decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green card applications under a broader travel policy affecting nearly 39 countries.
However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now updated its guidelines, exempting medical doctors from the suspension and allowing their applications to proceed. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that visa-related processes for physicians would continue.
The policy reversal comes amid a growing healthcare workforce shortage in the United States, with authorities estimating a deficit of about 65,000 doctors, a figure projected to rise in the coming years.
Foreign-trained physicians currently account for roughly 25 per cent of the US medical workforce and are considered essential to healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The earlier suspension had placed many doctors on administrative leave, while others faced potential job losses due to processing delays. With the resumption of visa services, the development is expected to ease pressure on healthcare facilities and enable affected doctors, including Nigerians, to continue their medical practice.
