The United States has issued a stern warning to Nigerian visa holders regarding overstaying their permitted stay. The US government emphasised that staying beyond the authorised period could lead to deportation and a permanent ban from future travel to the US.
This warning comes amid a series of recent travel restrictions and visa limitations targeting Nigerians, part of the broader immigration enforcement efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced via its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:
“If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and may face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future.”
Earlier last week, the US updated its visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria, significantly restricting non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to a single entry of three months duration. The move was justified by reciprocity agreements, concerns over visa overstays, national security, and documentation issues.
In addition to these restrictions, the US introduced a mandatory $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for students, workers, and tourists. The new regulations also impose various surcharges, including a $24 fee for I-94 records and a $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) fee for Visa Waiver Program travellers. These surcharges apply to different visa categories, such as B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F and M (students), H-1B (workers), and J (exchange visitors). Diplomatic applicants in categories A and G are exempt from these charges.
Furthermore, last week’s changes are part of a broader tightening of the US visa process, which now includes social media screening. Applicants for F, M, and J visas are required to make all their social media accounts publicly accessible as part of the vetting process to verify their identity and assess security risks.
The US Embassy in Nigeria emphasised:
“Every visa decision is a national security decision. Effective immediately, applicants for F, M, or J non-immigrant visas must set their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting.”
President Trump’s immigration policy has been marked by a focus on strict enforcement since he took office. This includes enhanced screening procedures, the deportation of illegal immigrants, and measures to prevent individuals from engaging in activities harmful to national security. The administration has also prioritised ensuring that visa applicants pose no threat to American citizens.
As these policies evolve, Nigerian travellers and applicants are advised to stay informed and adhere strictly to the regulations to avoid penalties or travel bans.
