The United States has resumed visa processing for Nigerian and other foreign doctors after quietly reversing a policy that had frozen applications under its travel ban system, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

The report said the earlier policy, introduced in January, halted decisions on visa extensions, work permits and green cards for citizens of about 39 countries, leaving many foreign-trained physicians unable to work.

However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its guidelines to exempt medical doctors from the restriction, allowing their applications to proceed.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the development to the NYT, stating that “applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing.”

The move comes amid a growing shortage of healthcare workers in the United States, where authorities estimate a deficit of about 65,000 doctors, a figure expected to rise in the coming years.

Foreign-trained doctors make up about a quarter of the US medical workforce, with many serving in primary care roles in underserved communities.

The earlier freeze had forced some doctors onto administrative leave, while others faced the risk of losing their jobs due to delays in visa approvals.

The policy shift is expected to ease pressure on hospitals and allow affected doctors, including Nigerians, to continue working.