JANUARY 09, 2026

by Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos

Passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports recorded mixed performance in 2024, with domestic travel declining while international passenger movement rose, according to data released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The rise in international passengers in the last three years (2022, 2023 and 2024) under review indicated the pattern of Japa syndrome as many Nigerians travelled out of the country in search of greener pastures.

While the 2025 figure is yet to be released, analysts said recent global restrictions and stringent conditions might have reduced the Japa syndrome.

The data showed that FAAN processed 12.54 million domestic passengers across the country’s airports in 2024, representing a 6.46 per cent decline from the 13.5 million passengers recorded in 2023.

This was in response to the recent hike in air fares which have reduced the number of people travelling domestically.

In contrast, international passenger traffic increased to 4.33 million, reflecting a 6.4 per cent growth over the 4 million passengers recorded in the previous year.

In year 2022 to 2023: Domestic traffic fell from 14,519,565 to 13,409,701, representing a 7.6 percent decrease.

 A breakdown of domestic passenger traffic revealed that Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, handled 4,134,211 passengers, while Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (domestic wing) processed 4,372,091 passengers.

Port Harcourt Airport recorded 1,026,060 passengers, Kano Airport handled 514,460, and Enugu Airport processed 493,510 passengers.

Further figures showed that Owerri Airport recorded 414,290 passengers, Benin Airport handled 353,350, Maiduguri Airport processed 180,149, Yola Airport recorded 161,847, Ilorin Airport handled 143,562, while Sokoto Airport processed 144,047 passengers.

Calabar Airport recorded 130,982 passengers, Ibadan Airport handled 97,439, Akure Airport processed 85,017, Kaduna Airport recorded 57,156, Jos Airport handled 39,496, and Gombe Airport processed 32,778 passengers.

Other airports with lower traffic volumes included Bauchi Airport with 21,897 passengers, Makurdi Airport with 8,182, Minna Airport with 3,013, and Katsina Airport which processed 44,830 passengers in the year under review.

On the international front, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, remained the busiest, recording 3,006,102 international passengers, up from 2,656,109 in 2023. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, handled 1,070,548 passengers, slightly lower than the 1,114,230 recorded in 2023.

Kano International Airport processed 211,671 passengers, down from 251,541 in the previous year, while Enugu Airport recorded 33,516 passengers, compared to 38,051 in 2023. Port Harcourt International Airport handled 10,827 passengers, marginally lower than the 10,902 recorded in the preceding year.

The figures highlight a shifting travel pattern in 2024, with international travel gaining momentum amid a slowdown in domestic passenger movement, likely reflecting rising airfare costs, economic pressures, and changing travel preferences among Nigerians.

Meanwhile, following the rise in e-commerce, Lagos and Abuja airports processed a combined 71,802,405kg of mail movement, with imports accounting for 67,039,694kg (93.4%) and exports 4,762,711kg (6.6%) in 2024.

Lagos dominated with 71,670,101kg, while Abuja managed only 132,303kg, a percentage difference of 99.8%. This highlights the concentration of mail movement in Nigeria’s primary airports.

Among the country’s five major international airports, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu, only Lagos and Abuja recorded meaningful mail activity. Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu handled negligible volumes, a trend mirrored by declining cargo and passenger traffic. Lagos continues to be the logistical hub, while Abuja serves as a smaller secondary gateway.

According to the three-year mail data revealed by FAAN, in 2023, total mail at Lagos and Abuja was 71,234,596kg, with Lagos handling 67,603,250kg of imports (95%) and 3,468,260kg of exports (5%), while Abuja recorded 84,327kg of imports (51%) and 78,906kg of exports (49%). Lagos’s volume exceeded Abuja’s by over 99%, emphasising the skew toward Lagos.

In 2022, the pattern was even more pronounced. Lagos managed 76,238,625kg (99.9%) of total mail, compared with Abuja’s 102,522kg (0.1%). Imports comprised 70,422,531kg (92.2%), while exports were 5,918,615kg (7.8%). The dominance of Lagos has been consistent, reinforcing its role as the central hub for mail movement.

JANUARY 12, 2026

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, has said it will introduce a structured slot system to balance demand and capacity across the airport terminal in 2026.

Remi Jibodu, the head of aeronautics & cargo services and acting chief operating officer, stated that the initiative will improve aircraft movement coordination, reduce congestion throughout the terminal during peak periods, enhance on-time performance for our airline partners, and enable better planning and deployment by ground handling companies.

He added that the initiative forms part of MMA2’s broader operational optimization strategy and reflects the terminal’s commitment to aligning operations with global best practices in apron and airside management.

Beyond aeronautical operations, he said MMA2 also recorded significant successes across its non-aeronautical services, further strengthening the overall passenger experience.

Commenting on this, Kola Bamigboye, the head of space & premises management/ acting COO, noted that the year under review marked a period of innovation and strong performance across customer-facing services.

“Over the past year, MMA2 achieved remarkable progress across its non-aeronautical services, driven by innovation and a deliberate focus on customer experience,” Bamigboye said.

“From retail and concession management to enhanced passenger amenities, our objective has been to deliver a convenient, comfortable, and engaging terminal environment. We are well-positioned to sustain this momentum in 2026 by continuing to innovate and elevate the customer journey.”

Bamigboye said security and passenger-support systems also recorded notable improvements during the year-end period. MMA2’s enhanced CCTV surveillance infrastructure played a critical role in monitoring terminal activities and facilitating the prompt recovery of several lost or forgotten items, including personal belongings and travel documents.

These items were successfully returned to their owners, attracting commendations and positive testimonials from passengers who praised the terminal’s vigilance, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi Head, Corporate Communications Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited MMA2 said to further support passengers during the busy festive season, MMA2 maintained an active customer experience email channel throughout the period, ensuring swift acknowledgment, investigation, and resolution of issues reported via that medium.

“This proactive engagement mechanism contributed to speedy responses, improved passenger confidence, and overall service satisfaction during peak operations.

“As operations normalize in the new year, MMA2 remains focused on consolidating the gains recorded during the festive season while strengthening collaboration with airlines, ground handlers, regulators, and other service providers across the aviation value chain.

“The terminal continues to prioritize continuous improvement, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and stakeholder engagement as key drivers of sustainable performance,” Yinka-Olawuyi said in a statement.

According to her, the terminal recorded a successful year-end operational period, underscoring the terminal’s resilience, operational flexibility, and strong collaboration with airline partners, ground handling companies, and other critical service providers during the peak festive travel season.

She said throughout the high-traffic end-of-year period, MMA2 worked closely with its airline partners and key service providers, including ground handling companies, to deliver seamless and efficient operations, with passenger comfort, safety, and service continuity remaining top priorities.

“To support uninterrupted flight operations, the terminal provided extended operational coverage, remaining open beyond its scheduled shutdown periods on several occasions to accommodate late-night and delayed flights.

“These extensions were implemented alongside routine and essential daily maintenance activities, which continued without compromise to ensure the highest standards of safety, infrastructure integrity, and operational efficiency,” she added.

JANUARY 14, 2026

LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Britain is set to announce a new rail link between the central English city of Birmingham and the northern city of Manchester, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The report said ministers would make the announcement on Wednesday as part of a plan to upgrade rail links across the north of England.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, writing by Sam Tabahriti)

JANUARY 14, 2026

If you’re thinking of relocating in 2026, there’s now another European country where you could work remotely.

Bulgaria has introduced a digital nomad visa, and applications are open.

The country is well-placed to welcome the laptop-tapping crowd, with a cost of living significantly lower than other European countries, youthful cities offering growing remote working services, and epic weekend escapes - from fierce mountain ranges to buzzy beach resorts.

The country has also just switched its currency to the euro and became part of the Schengen Zone in 2025, making it a great base for travelling around Europe.

Here’s everything you need to know about Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa.

Who is eligible to apply for Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa?

Applicants must be non-EU/EEA citizens who work remotely and earn their income from outside Bulgaria.

Within that, there are three eligibility criteria: remote employees of companies registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; owners of companies or those holding more than 25 per cent of a business registered abroad; and freelancers or independent professionals who have been providing services to non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year before applying.

Applicants must also provide evidence of an annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage, which is currently €620, making the yearly minimum €31,000.

How to apply for Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa

The process of applying for the digital nomad visa is two-fold.

First, those interested must obtain a type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their home country, a process that can take between four and eight weeks.

This visa permits foreigners to enter Bulgaria and apply for residency.

Once in Bulgaria, they must apply for a residence permit under the Digital Nomad Visa programme within 14 days of arrival.

Documents required include proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (e.g. a rental contract, hotel booking, or property ownership), a clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence, and translations of foreign documents into Bulgarian, apostilled where necessary.

According to remote working advice site Citizen Remote, applicants must also provide proof of health insurance that covers them in Bulgaria for the duration of their stay and is valid across the entire Schengen/EU area.

In the final step, digital nomads can apply for an identification card. The whole process can take over three months.

The residence permit is initially granted for one year and can be renewed for another year as long as the eligibility conditions continue to be met.

JANUARY 14, 2026

Story by Charles Hymas
 

Net migration is on course to hit a 20-year low after the number of foreign workers and students coming to the UK fell by more than 100,000 in a year.

The number of people who applied for health and care worker visas fell by a half or 62,300 last year from 123,300 in 2024, while the number of skilled workers was down by 47,200 or 36 per cent in the same period.

Family visas were also down by 10,700 or 12 per cent after the Government suspended applications pending a crackdown on the right of successful asylum seekers to bring their spouses and children to the UK. Student and seasonal worker applicants remained stable, although the number of dependents fell.

Combined with record numbers of British nationals leaving the UK, the Home Office figures suggest the Government is on course to reduce net migration below 200,000 for the first time since the year ending December 2005 when it stood at 185,000.

The trend suggests migration is set to fall to levels last seen in 2003, before Tony Blair’s government opened the door to mass immigration from eastern Europe the following year.

Net migration in the UK currently stands at 204,000 for the year to June 2025. It has fallen from a peak of 944,000 in the year ending March 2023 caused at the height of the “Boriswave” of migrants.

JANUARY 14, 2026

by Pulcherie Adjoha and Robbie Corey-Boulet

Key Points

• Citizenship programme part of Benin’s plan to raise global profile
• Thousands have applied, about 50 approved so far
• Spike Lee named ambassador to African-Americans

OUIDAH, Benin, Jan 14 (Reuters) – Isaline Attelly, a native of the Caribbean island of Martinique, had been living in Benin for nearly a year before she learned that her family’s connection to the West African country went back much further.

Genealogical records confirmed her great-grandmother on her mother’s side was born in what is now Benin and, at the height of transatlantic slavery, was trafficked across the Atlantic Ocean.

The discovery last year prompted Attelly, a 28-year-old content creator, to enrol in a new programme offering Beninese citizenship to people of African descent.

The “My Afro Origins” programme is an important piece of President Patrice Talon’s plan to raise his country’s profile, including among prospective tourists, by highlighting its prominent role in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people.

“For me, it’s a source of pride. It feels like my journey has come full circle,” Attelly told Reuters after her naturalisation ceremony. “I am proud and very happy to be able to represent my ancestors.”

PROJECTS HIGHLIGHT BENIN’S ROLE IN SLAVERY

The first naturalisation ceremonies have coincided with the unveiling of projects intended to bring that history to life, including a new “Door of No Return” in Ouidah, a common departure point for transatlantic trafficking, and a replica of an 18th-century ship that transported enslaved people with sculptures inside representing nearly 300 captives. Both are still under construction.

The government also plans to open this year a new International Museum of Memory and Slavery at the former residence of Francisco Felix de Souza, a prominent trafficker of enslaved people in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Talon, who survived a coup attempt last month and is expected to end his 10-year tenure after a presidential election in April, has recruited star power to publicise his vision.Filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife Tonya Lee Lewis were last year named ambassadors for the programme to the African-American community.

“Our brothers and sisters in Benin are telling us: come home, welcome us home, come back to the motherland. Come back (to) where your roots are,” Lee told France 24 last year.

In July 2025 American R&B star Ciara became one of the first beneficiaries of Beninese citizenship. She performed last week at a concert in Ouidah as part of an annual festival devoted to voodoo, playing hits such as “Level Up” during a set that ran until 3 a.m.

Her husband, American football quarterback Russell Wilson, attended and said he was hoping to become a citizen himself “real soon”.

PUSH FOR ‘RIGHT OF RETURN’

Around 50 people have received Beninese citizenship since the “My Afro Origins” programme launched last year, according to the Justice Ministry, which is sorting through thousands of applications and receives about 100 more each day.

To qualify, applicants need to be 18 years old and produce documents or a DNA test proving their ties to the continent, and they cannot be citizens of another African country, Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters.

At the naturalisation ceremony on December 27 in Cotonou, Benin’s biggest city and economic capital, Attelly and nine others received their citizenship certificates and posed for pictures next to the Beninese flag.

Benin’s programme is similar to an initiative in Ghana that, since 2016, has granted citizenship to 684 members of the African diaspora, according to Kofi Okyere Darko, presidential adviser on diaspora affairs.

CARICOM, the regional bloc of the Caribbean, has endorsed a “right of return” for descendants of enslaved people, as part of a reparations plan adopted in 2014.

Resettlement should be funded by “those states that are responsible for the forced movement and enslavement” of millions of people, CARICOM says, meaning European states and governments.

Though no significant progress has been made towards such a comprehensive effort, Benin’s government hopes the programme can nevertheless strengthen ties between Africans and the diaspora while showcasing the country’s history, said Bakari, the foreign minister.

“We believe that Africa cannot develop without a strong involvement of its diaspora,” he said.

“What we are looking for is people who will definitely recognise themselves as African, having the proof that they are part of this continent.”

JANUARY 15, 2026

By Deborah Musa

No fewer than 5,000 intending Nigerian immigrants to the United States may be delayed following the new visa restrictions imposed on Nigeria and 74 other countries by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Data from the US consulate in Lagos show that 5,626 immigrant visas were issued in 2023, up from 4,219 in 2022—an increase of 1,407 visas within a year.

An analysis by The PUNCH indicates that at least 5,000 immigrant visas granted to Nigerians annually could be affected by the latest measure, which seeks to restrict the entry of foreigners intending to live in the United States.

Additionally, a total of 70,621 Nigerians were issued U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visas in 2024.

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A breakdown reveals that 63,313 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians, with Abuja accounting for 30,222, while 33,091 were issued in Lagos. Also, 7,308 persons obtained US immigrant visas during the period.

Confirming the development, a State Department spokesperson said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”

The pause will begin on January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the review is complete.

The policy forms part of a wider entry suspension affecting countries regarded by Washington as posing screening and vetting difficulties or producing migrants who rely excessively on public benefits.

The latest development comes barely a week after the Trump administration imposed a visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 on nationals from 38 countries, including Nigeria, effective January 21, 2026.

The policy targets countries with high visa overstay rates and security concerns.

The State Department in a post on X on Wednesday announced the pause of immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, which it claimed the migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.

The post read, “The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.

‘’The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused. The Trump Administration will always put America First.”

The affected countries include 27 African countries, 22 Asian countries, 8 European countries, 13 North American and Caribbean countries, three South American countries and one Oceania.

They are Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Yemen.

Others are Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Also on the list are Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Fiji.

State Department data show that global immigrant visa issuance climbed to 612,258 in 2024, up from 562,976 in 2023. Non-immigrant visa issuance also rose from 10,438,327 in 2023 to 10,969,936 in 2024.

The report further puts the global migrant visa issuance at 240,526 for the year 2020; 285,069 in 2021; 493,448 in 2022;  562,976 in 2023, and 612,258 in 2024.

Non-immigrant categories for 2020 were recorded as 4,013,210;  2, 792,083 for 2021; 6,815,120 in 2022; 10,438,327 in 2023, while  10,969,936 were recorded in 2024.

Meanwhile, in December, the US previously announced a partial visa ban on Nigeria alongside other countries.

In relation to Nigeria, the US policy cited persistent security challenges and overstays on temporary visas.

Referencing radical extremist activity in parts of the country, the proclamation stated that such conditions “create substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”

It also referenced overstay rates contained in US government reports.

Consequently, the proclamation ordered that “the entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.”

It further directed consular officers to reduce the validity period for any other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian nationals.

The State Department stressed that visas already issued before the effective date of the proclamation would not be revoked under the new policy.

However, Nigerians outside the United States without valid visas at the time of implementation would be directly affected by the entry suspension.

Reacting to the restriction,  former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, described the sweeping ban as a contradiction of America’s long-standing advocacy for the free movement of people and ideas.

“It is unfortunate that the apostle of globalisation is the one now engaging what I’ll call a reverse gear as far as the globalisation phenomenon is concerned. Even as he views this as being in America’s interest to keep some countries or citizens of certain countries out of his national territory.”

He criticised the scale of the measure, stating that it is unbecoming to ban 75 countries’ citizens from travelling to the United States.

According to him, “Migration and immigration are as old as the human race, and for the US under Donald Trump to begin to rev up the anti-migration, anti-immigration policies which we are witnessing now is not helping to solve matters as far as human-to-human contacts are concerned.”

Amedu-Ode added that travel is a natural human activity, stressing, “In view of the fact that travelling between countries is natural to the human person, especially in this age now of ease of travel by air, by road, by ship, it’s unfortunate.”

Ex-Ambassador Godknows Igali acknowledged Washington’s sovereign right to set its immigration policies, but urged the US to weigh the implications for bilateral relations.

“Well, it’s America’s right,  America has the right. These are issues of the right of countries. They are determining the conditions of their visas, but again, you have to consider your relationship with other countries. Between Nigeria and the US, we have a very robust relationship that has gone on for many, many decades,” he said.

He emphasised Nigerians’ positive contributions to US society, noting,  “Nigerians have given a good account of themselves in the US,  very disciplined, very hardworking. Almost all Nigerians are doing very well in the US. So, they are not a liability to the system.”

He added, “Most Nigerians who go to the US are skilled; we don’t go there as a liability. We are hardworking, we are creative, we are industrious, we are enterprising.’’

He urged sustained diplomacy, saying, “We advise the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sustain discussion with them so that Nigeria can be removed from that list.”

Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju said the latest restriction reflects a deeper shift in US domestic politics and global posture.

“If you look at the United States and see what’s going on there with the so-called ICE picking up people in the streets, you could see chaos in US cities with these issues about immigration. So, it is not a surprise the extent to which the United States could go,” he said.

Onunaiju warned that the present period “is not a normal time” in US foreign relations, observing that even close allies have been affected.

“Recently, the United States imposed a visa ban on key European officials. So, I think the worst has not happened yet. There could be more tightening. People should anticipate that. Mr Trump campaigned and won on the basis of extremist anti-immigration posturing, and he is leveraging that.”

He added that Nigerians should “prepare for the worst”, stressing that the US President had recently stated that he did not recognise international law and was guided only by his “private morality.”

“We have to acknowledge that this is not a normal time and anything is possible between the United States and the rest of the world.”

Ex-ambassador Rasheed Akinkoulie observed that the sweeping ban did not apply to Nigerians applying for visas, arguing that the conditions are simply more stringent, citing the $15,000 visa bond.

‘’Government officials and diplomats who have to travel to the USA are still granted visas without any problem.”

JANUARY 15, 2026

One of the hallmarks of Donald Trump’s second term has been making it tougher to visit the United States.

The president’s ‘America First’ philosophy has seen the administration crack down on tourists and longer-term visitors alike.

The State Department announced this week that it revoked over 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office, including around 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for people who had run-ins with U.S. law enforcement.

However, tourists from multiple countries are also reporting problems with the ESTA visa waiver scheme, claiming they have had theirs revoked. The ESTA - or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation - is an online system that tells visitors to the U.S. in advance whether they are allowed to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

The US has the right to revoke a visa or an ESTA at any time (flowertiare - stock.adobe.com)

Although it does not guarantee entry at the border, it is a routine process for many tourists from countries such as the U.K., most of Europe, Australia, Japan and many others.

Users on Reddit have claimed that their ESTAs were canceled despite never speaking publicly about their political views, never staying beyond the number of days they were allowed to remain in the U.S., and never having any criminal charges. They are left none the wiser about what the waiver was revoked.

“I've gotten an ESTA this last September with my EU passport in order to travel to the US after some years not having been there,” one poster wrote.

“I traveled to New York for three weeks, went back to my home country, then came back in December to visit Miami for a week - both trips for actual tourism and nothing else.

“Today I receive an email from the DHS saying my ESTA status has been "changed", and when I check he application, it shows I'm no longer authorized to travel to the U.S..”

Another Redditor claimed they had their ESTA revoked shortly after they visited Cuba, forcing them to reroute via Madrid, Spain rather than Miami, Florida. Another said they would “not going to bother with that country [the U.S.] anymore” after a similar experience.

ESTAs, like visas, can be withdrawn ore refused for multiple reasons but it is not always clear why.

An undisclosed criminal record can lead to withdrawal, or the failure to prove non-immigrant intent. Visa applicants are required to adequately disclose their ties to their home countries, so it is clear that they are not trying to emigrate to the United States.

Travelling to countries on the United States’ banned travel list could also lead to your visa being denied. Those include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Overstaying in the U.S. on an old visa or being denied entry in the past could also lead to visitors being banned from returning.

If an applicant has had their ESTA denied or revoked, they need to apply for a standard B1 or B2 Visitor Visa, which will require them to attend an interview.

Filing for a request through the DHS TRIP website can also allow applicants to address potential errors on their visa applications. However, filing for an appeal of an ESTA being denied or revoked is not allowed.

Despite the visitor visa rules already being very stringent, a State Department memo seen by Fox News Digital could suggest that immigration visas could become even stricter.

According to the memo, visa applications from 75 countries will be frozen from January 21 as the Trump administration pushes further with its attempts to curb immigration.

The crackdown will reportedly affect immigration visas, not visitor visas, from countries including Russia, Iran, Thailand, Egypt, Brazil, Somalia and Yemen, amongst others.

The memo says that the alleged pause will continue indefinitely until the State Department conducts a full reassessment of visa processing.

The Independent has contacted the State Department for comment.

JANUARY 16, 2026

Scotland already has a Trump golf course – but could it be getting an American border post next? That’s the hope of bosses at Edinburgh Airport, who have been pushing for a Dublin-style preclearance system that would allow travellers to complete US immigration before they depart.

The idea was apparently raised by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, during his own meeting with the Donald last year. Apparently, the Scottish government hopes that president Trump’s love for his mother’s homeland might make all the difference.

What would it mean for travellers heading stateside if it were to happen? Here’s the essential guide to preclearance – and how it can substantially improve your next trip across the pond.

What is preclearance?

Preclearance is essentially a process by which a physical US border post is established within a foreign airport (similar to clearing French customers at St Pancras when you take Eurostar), thereby allowing anyone flying to the States to complete their passport and visa checks before they depart the UK, and then stroll out at the other end without getting snarled up in any long customs queues.

It’s usually a special security line somewhere within the airport, which is staffed by US border officers. Legally, it’s no different to any other US immigration border; it just happens to be within a foreign airport, rather than in the States.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney raised the idea of introducing a preclearance system at Edinburgh airport in a meeting with Donald Trump - Jane Barlow

Which countries have preclearance?

There are US preclearance facilities at 15 airports in five different countries. The majority of those airports are in Canada, with three more in the Caribbean (the Bahamas, Bermuda and Aruba).

Ireland is the only European country to offer the preclearance system, which is in place at both Dublin and Shannon airports. The only other on this side of the Atlantic is in Abu Dhabi, where travellers can clear customs before embarking on the 15-hour flight to New York.

Will preclearance at Edinburgh actually happen?

Predicting the whims of this president is never easy. One potential spanner in the works, though, is that preclearance usually requires a formal treaty between the two countries. The power to sign such a treaty would reside with the UK Government – not the Scottish government.

It is not yet clear whether Edinburgh Airport will ever be able to offer preclearance for passengers travelling to the US - Alamy

Does preclearance cost extra – and are there any extra requirements?

No. The requirements are exactly the same as those for entering the States at a US airport. You’ll still need an Esta (visa waiver) or visa, and you may be asked why you are going to the States and how long you’re staying.

The border agents have exactly the same rights as they would on US soil, too, which means that they can refuse entry if they think you are breaching the rules.

What happens when you land?

You’re free to go as you please, whether that’s exiting the airport or catching another flight.

Anyone who has taken a domestic flight within the States will be familiar with the thrill of breezing through the airport straight to baggage control – particularly if they have prior experience of the customs lines at the likes of LAX, Dulles or JFK. As ease of travel goes, it feels more like arriving at a train station rather than an airport, given that there are no further checks or queues.

Is it compulsory?

Yes. If you’re flying to the US from an airport with preclearance, it is compulsory to use the system. This means that, when the flight reaches its destination, it can be treated essentially as a domestic arrival – rather than the passengers who have been pre-cleared needing to be separated from those who have not.

What are the advantages?

The big one is obvious: you don’t have to worry about passport control when you arrive, meaning that you can skip the notorious queues, waiting for a surly immigration officer to check your documents.

It also means that you’ll know for certain whether you’ve been cleared to enter the US before you board your flight. That might give extra peace of mind to travellers who are worried about being quizzed on their travel plans or their bank balance – something that US border control sometimes does in order to ascertain whether you’re planning to overstay.

Are there any disadvantages?

Just like any passport queue, preclearance can get very busy. Dublin Airport currently advises that US-bound travellers arrive at the line at least three hours before take-off to ensure they have completed the process on time. On particularly busy days (especially likely around American public holidays), Aer Lingus has even had to hold back some flights to ensure that passengers have time to complete preclearance.

Of course, you may have had to queue at the other end too. But if you’re heading to one of the less busy airports – Aer Lingus flies to Cleveland, Ohio, for example – you may end up waiting longer than you would have done in America. It’s all worth bearing in mind before you book.

JANUARY 16, 2026

British dual nationals will face stricter entry requirements to the UK from February 2026 under changes linked to the government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, a move that could leave some travellers facing costs of up to £1,000 (approximately $1,300) to obtain the correct documentation.

From 25 February, British citizens who also hold another nationality will be required to prove their British citizenship before boarding travel to the UK. Those attempting to travel using only a foreign passport risk being refused boarding unless they hold specific UK-issued documents.

The changes are expected to affect thousands of dual nationals living overseas, including people who have long relied on non-British passports when travelling. Airlines have been instructed to enforce the rules strictly once the transition period ends, placing responsibility on travellers to ensure their paperwork is in order well ahead of departure.

How the Rule Change Affects Dual Citizens

Under current arrangements, many British dual nationals have been able to enter the UK using a foreign passport, relying on their right of abode to establish eligibility on arrival. From late February 2026, carriers will no longer accept this approach.

Updated Home Office guidance requires airlines to verify passengers' eligibility to enter the UK before departure. British citizens are not eligible to apply for an ETA, even when travelling on a foreign passport, meaning dual nationals cannot rely on the new system to gain entry.

Instead, travellers must present either a valid British or Irish passport, or a Certificate of Entitlement confirming the right of abode in a foreign passport. Without one of these, airlines may refuse boarding regardless of a passenger's citizenship status.

The Home Office says the measures are intended to reduce confusion at the border and ensure citizenship status is established before travel begins.

Costs of Passports and Certificates

For those without the required documents, the financial impact can be significant. Applying for a standard British passport from overseas typically costs around £280 (around $370) once courier fees are included.

An alternative option is a Certificate of Entitlement, which allows a dual national to travel on a foreign passport while proving their right of abode. Applications for the certificate currently cost around £589 ($778) when made outside the UK.

When combined with additional expenses, such as obtaining supporting documents like UK birth certificates or using expedited services, total costs for some travellers could approach or exceed £1,000 ($1,300). Processing times can also extend to several weeks, creating challenges for those with imminent travel plans.

Impact on Travellers and Families

Dual nationals who have lived abroad for long periods or allowed British passports to lapse are expected to be among those most affected. Some have previously travelled routinely using another nationality and may not realise the rules are changing.

Airlines have begun advising passengers to check documentation well in advance, warning that failure to meet the new requirements could result in denied boarding and additional costs. begin in February 2026, British citizens with dual nationality are being urged to review their travel documents early. Ensuring the correct passport or entitlement is in place is likely to be essential for anyone planning to travel to the UK later this year or beyond.