US Mission warns Nigerians that visa misuse, especially overstaying, risks long-term travel bans.
The United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned Nigerian travellers to strictly comply with the terms of their visas, warning that misuse could threaten future entry into the country.
In a statement on its official X handle on Tuesday, the Mission highlighted overstaying as a major violation, stressing that consequences include restrictions on reentry. “It’s important to use your US visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the U.S. in the future,” it said.
The warning follows concerns over strict enforcement of U.S. visa rules, with the Department of State reporting over 700,000 visa overstays in 2023, ranking Nigeria among the top countries affected.
Under the U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, travellers face a three-year reentry ban for overstays of 180 to 365 days, and a ten-year ban for overstays exceeding one year.