Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the United States has suspended the issuance of new visitor visas to Nigerien nationals. Visas issued before that date were not revoked. A limited set of exceptions exists, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. An ESTA is not available to Nigerien citizens. Check the State Department's announcement before paying for anything.
What the suspension means
Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends the issuance of new B-1 and B-2 visitor visas to Nigerien nationals. The suspension applies at US embassies and consulates abroad, so a visitor visa application filed now cannot be approved while the proclamation remains in force. An ESTA is not an option, because Niger does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program. There is no visa-free route to the United States.
Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked. A traveler who already holds a valid visitor visa may still use it to ask permission to enter, and a Customs and Border Protection officer decides admission at the airport. Limited exceptions to the suspension exist, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Whether an exception fits a particular case is a question for the State Department and the nearest US embassy or consulate.
Before the flight and on arrival
Nothing about a Manhattan trip should be booked and paid for until the visa position is clear. Airlines check travel documents at check-in, and a passenger without a valid visa or an approved ESTA will not be boarded for a flight to the United States. Confirm the current status on the State Department site, and treat hotel reservations and event tickets as refundable until the paperwork is settled.
Flights from West Africa land at John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport, and some connections arrive at LaGuardia. On arrival, Customs and Border Protection officers inspect passports and ask about the purpose of the trip. Answer briefly and honestly, and carry a printed hotel confirmation with the Manhattan address, a return or onward ticket, and evidence of funds. Admission is granted at the inspection desk, and the officer sets the terms of the visit.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation carries weight at the border and at the front desk. Keep a printed copy showing the property name, the Manhattan address and dates that match the flight. Reservations made through a booking site are fine, as long as the confirmation is in the traveler's own name. Many Manhattan hotels ask for a passport at check-in. Ask about cancellation terms before paying.
From Kennedy, the AirTrain connects to a subway station and to commuter rail at Jamaica, and buses and licensed taxis serve the terminals. From Newark, the AirTrain links to a rail station with trains into Manhattan. LaGuardia connects by bus and taxi. The subway runs around the clock, and a contactless card or phone works at the turnstiles. Allow extra time for the first walk from the station.
Longer stays, work and study
Visitor visas cover tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a semester of study. Study, work and long-term stays require a different visa category, and each category has its own requirements and its own application. The suspension in Proclamation 10998 concerns new visitor visas, and other categories follow separate rules that can change. Check travel.state.gov and the nearest US embassy or consulate.
No one can promise a visa, and offers that guarantee approval should be treated with suspicion. Applications go through official channels only, and an interview, where one is required, takes place at a US embassy or consulate. This guide covers travel in Manhattan and does not issue visas or give legal advice. For a complicated case, consult a licensed immigration attorney in the United States.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov and note what it says about Niger.
- Check whether a visa already in the passport was issued before the proclamation, since those visas were not revoked.
- Check whether an exception applies, for example dual nationality with travel on another country's passport, and confirm it with official sources.
- Confirm that an ESTA is not available, because Niger does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program.
- Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for guidance on the case before completing any application.
- Plan nothing non-refundable until the position is clear, or book only flights and hotels that can be canceled.
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for the planned trip, checked against the rules on the official site
- Any existing US visa in the passport, including one issued before the proclamation
- A printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the dates of the stay
- A return or onward ticket, or another document showing plans to leave the United States
- Printed copies of correspondence with the embassy or consulate about the case
- Evidence of funds for the stay, such as recent bank statements
Nigerien citizens: questions
Can Nigerien citizens get a US visitor visa under Presidential Proclamation 10998?
No new B-1 or B-2 visitor visas are being issued to Nigerien nationals while the proclamation remains in force. Limited exceptions exist, for example for certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Anyone who already holds a visa issued before the proclamation may still travel and ask to be admitted at a US airport. Check travel.state.gov for the current position.
Can Nigerien citizens apply for an ESTA instead of a visa to visit Manhattan?
No. The Visa Waiver Program, which ESTA serves, does not include Niger, so a Nigerien passport holder cannot use ESTA. That program lets eligible travelers visit without a visa, and it does not cover Niger. The path is a US visa, and new visitor visas are suspended under the proclamation. Confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
Do US visas issued to Nigerien citizens before 2026 still work for a trip to New York?
Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so a valid visitor visa already in the passport can still be used. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides admission at the airport and may ask about the purpose and length of the trip. Carry a hotel confirmation and a return ticket. Check travel.state.gov before booking.
What should Nigerien citizens do before paying for a trip to Manhattan?
Wait until the visa position is clear. Read the State Department announcement, check whether an exception may apply, and contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. Book only what can be canceled, and keep printed copies of confirmations and correspondence. Airlines check documents at check-in and will not board a passenger who lacks a valid visa or approved ESTA.
Who should Nigerien citizens contact about a US visa case?
The US embassy or consulate that covers Niger handles visa cases, and travel.state.gov publishes the rules. This guide does not issue visas or give legal advice. For a complicated case, such as a prior refusal, a licensed immigration attorney in the United States can advise. Ask official sources about any exception before relying on it.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.