The United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned Nigerian travellers to strictly observe the terms of their U.S. visas or risk severe consequences.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the Mission warned that visa misuse particularly overstaying beyond the authorised period could jeopardise future travel prospects.
“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,” the Mission stated.
The advisory comes after a U.S. Department of State report revealed that more than 700,000 people overstayed their visas in 2023, with Nigeria listed among the top countries involved.
Under the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, travellers who overstay between 180 and 365 days face a three-year reentry ban, while those who exceed a year risk a ten-year ban.
