The United States government has issued a strong warning to Nigerian citizens about the consequences of overstaying their visas, stating that violators risk immediate deportation and a possible lifetime travel ban from the country.
This development comes as part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has seen an increase in visa restrictions and tighter screening procedures for several countries, including Nigeria. The US Mission in Nigeria made this announcement via a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stressing that exceeding the allowed stay on any visa could lead to serious long-term consequences.
Just last week, the US government announced new changes to its visa reciprocity policy for Nigeria. These changes include limiting non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas to single-entry permits valid for only three months. According to US officials, the move is in response to multiple factors, including rising visa overstays, document inconsistencies, and concerns related to national security.
In addition to the revised visa validity, a new mandatory $250 Visa Integrity Fee has been introduced for Nigerian applicants seeking student, tourist, or work-related visas. Other compulsory charges include a $24 I-94 form fee and a $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for travelers entering through the Visa Waiver Program. These new charges apply across several visa categories including B-1/B-2 (business/tourist), F and M (students), H-1B (workers), and J (exchange visitors). Only applicants in diplomatic categories such as A and G are exempt.
The United States has also implemented stricter background checks as part of the visa application process. All applicants for F, M, or J visas are now required to provide their social media usernames and adjust their account settings to public, allowing full access for identity and security verification. The US Embassy stated that this is necessary to properly vet applicants and confirm their eligibility to enter the country.
Since taking office, President Trump has pursued a hardline immigration agenda, signing multiple executive orders aimed at tightening visa processes and expelling undocumented migrants. These policies are framed around national security goals, with the administration maintaining that thorough screening is necessary to prevent individuals with potential threats from entering or remaining in the United States.
The US government continues to urge all Nigerian visa holders to comply strictly with their visa terms and respect the conditions of their stay to avoid long-term consequences.
