The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers, cautioning that overstaying a U.S. visa could result in a permanent ban from entering the country.
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the embassy said that U.S. consular officers have full access to individuals’ immigration records and would be aware of any prior violations.
“If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States,” the embassy stated.
“Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.”
The warning comes amid ongoing efforts by U.S. immigration authorities to tighten visa regulations, a trend that was significantly reinforced during the Trump administration’s first tenure.
President Donald Trump has reintroduced stringent immigration policies aimed at reducing illegal immigration and visa overstays.
The new administration has conducted several deportations in the last two months.
Nigeria has been one of the countries with a high number of visa overstays in the U.S. Between 2022 and 2023, more than 12,000 Nigerians overstayed their visas, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports.
Under U.S. immigration law, individuals who overstay more than 180 days but less than a year and leave voluntarily before any removal proceedings face a three-year ban from re-entry.
Those who overstay for one year or more and leave voluntarily before any removal proceedings face a 10-year ban from re-entry.
Repeat offenders or individuals who re-enter the U.S. illegally after a prior overstay ban could face a lifetime bar under certain circumstances.
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