The United States Mission in Nigeria has urged Nigerian travellers to strictly observe their visa terms, warning that overstaying could result in extended entry bans.
In a statement posted Tuesday on its official X handle, the Mission said misuse of U.S. visas may affect future travel eligibility.
“It’s important to use your U.S. 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 stated.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over strict visa compliance and tighter immigration controls.
Data from the U.S. Department of State indicates over 700,000 visa overstays in 2023 alone, with Nigeria ranking among the top affected countries.
According to the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, travellers who overstay by 180 to 365 days face a three-year re-entry ban, while those exceeding a year risk a ten-year ban.
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