The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travelers regarding the severe consequences of overstaying their visa.
The US Mission in Nigeria highlighted that individuals who overstay their visa risk facing permanent bans from re-entering the country.
In a post on its official X account on Monday, the US Mission made it clear that “Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations.” They further stated, “If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.”
The warning also detailed the penalties for overstaying, indicating that individuals who exceed the allowed stay by more than 180 days but less than a year could face a three-year re-entry ban.
Those who overstay for more than a year may receive a 10-year ban, and repeat offenders risk a permanent lifetime ban.
This is part of a broader tightening of US immigration policies, particularly since the return of Donald Trump as US President.
In a related matter, the Nigerian government has raised concerns about the treatment of its nationals deported from the US, emphasizing the emotional and financial strain these deportations are placing on families.