US Issues Stern Warning To Nigerians Over Visa Overstay; Threatens Deportation.
The United States has issued a firm warning to Nigerian travellers, cautioning that overstaying their visas could lead to deportation and a permanent ban from entering the country. The announcement, made by the US Mission in Nigeria on Monday via its official X account, underscores the tightening of immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The US has recently revised its visa reciprocity policy for Nigerians, limiting non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas, such as those for tourism, business, and study, to a single-entry, three-month duration. This change, effective immediately, cites concerns over visa overstays, national security, and documentation irregularities. Additionally, a new $250 mandatory Visa Integrity Fee has been introduced for student, worker, and tourist visa applicants, alongside other surcharges, including a $24 I-94 fee and a $13 fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
The US Mission’s statement was unequivocal: “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future.” Under US immigration law, overstaying a visa by more than 180 days but less than a year may result in a three-year re-entry ban, while overstays exceeding a year could lead to a 10-year ban. Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a lifetime ban.
The Nigerian government has expressed concern over these restrictions, describing them as disproportionate and potentially harmful to cultural and educational exchanges. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has also resisted US pressure to accept deportees from third countries, such as Venezuela, asserting Nigeria’s sovereignty. In a recent interview, Tuggar referenced the hip-hop group Public Enemy to emphasise Nigeria’s stance against external pressure, highlighting the nation’s refusal to negotiate away its interests.
The tightened visa rules follow a broader US policy shift, with similar measures imposed on countries like Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Ghana. The US cites high visa overstay rates and inadequate cooperation on deportee repatriation as reasons for the changes. In 2023, the US Department of Homeland Security reported that 565,155 non-immigrants overstayed their visas, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Nigerian officials have called for a reconsideration of the policy, noting the significant contributions of the Nigerian diaspora, who remit over $20 Female African American doctor in her 30s, wearing a white coat, stands in a hospital hallway with arms crossed, looking directly at the camera with a confident expression. $20 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy. The government has also highlighted the need for a more humane deportation process, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, noting that approximately 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centres, with 85 cleared for deportation.
As the US continues to enforce stricter immigration controls, Nigerian travellers are urged to adhere to visa regulations and ensure timely departure to avoid severe penalties. The new policies have sparked concern among Nigerians, many of whom view the US as a key destination for education and economic opportunities, amid the ongoing trend of emigration known locally as “Japa.”
