The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians about the consequences of overstaying their visas, emphasizing that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.
In a statement shared on its official X page on Monday, the US Mission in Nigeria cautioned travelers against exceeding their permitted stay, noting that immigration authorities have full access to an individual’s travel records.
“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States,” the mission stated.
It further warned that consular officers can review an applicant’s entire immigration history, making it nearly impossible to evade penalties.
“Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations.
“There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the statement added.
According to US immigration laws, individuals who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year could be barred from returning for three years. Those who exceed a year risk a 10-year ban.
This development follows the trend of stricter immigration policies introduced during former President Donald Trump’s
