The United States government has issued a fresh warning to Nigerian travelers regarding visa overstays, emphasizing that individuals who remain in the country beyond their permitted duration risk facing severe immigration consequences, including long-term travel bans.
According to the U.S. authorities, overstaying a visa is not considered an "honest mistake" but a serious violation of immigration laws that could result in automatic restrictions on future visa applications. The warning follows growing concerns about the high number of Nigerian nationals overstaying their visas in the U.S., a factor that has contributed to stringent immigration policies for Nigerian applicants.
A statement from the U.S. Embassy highlighted that visa holders are expected to adhere strictly to their authorized period of stay and must leave the country before their visa expires. Those who fail to comply may face penalties ranging from immediate deportation to multi-year bans on re-entry.
The U.S. government has in recent years tightened visa policies for countries with high overstay rates, and Nigeria has frequently appeared on the list of nations with a significant number of violators. In 2020, the Trump administration placed Nigeria on a visa restriction list due to concerns over immigration issues.
Nigerians planning to travel to the U.S. have been advised to ensure they comply with visa regulations to avoid complications that could affect their future travel opportunities.