- The US issued a visa overstay warning, stating that Nigerian travellers who exceed their permitted stay risk facing permanent bans
- The US Mission in Nigeria warns that ignorance of visa rules will not be accepted as a defence
- The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urges the US to handle deportations with dignity and fairness
The United States government has issued a strong warning to Nigerian travellers about the serious consequences of overstaying their visas.
According to the US Mission in Nigeria, those who violate visa regulations risk facing a permanent ban from re-entering the country.
In a post on its official X account on Monday, March 24, the US Mission clarified that consular officers have full access to an individual’s immigration history, making it nearly impossible for past violators to evade penalties.
The statement emphasised that travellers are solely responsible for complying with the terms of their visas, and ignorance of these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse.
“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. 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 US Mission warned.
Under US immigration laws, individuals who overstay their visas for more than 180 days but less than a year may be barred from re-entering the US for three years.
Those who remain beyond one year risk a 10-year ban, while repeat offenders or those with serious violations could face a permanent ban.
FG expresses concern over deportations
Following the stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, the Nigerian government has raised concerns about the ongoing deportation of its citizens from the United States.
On February 16, 2025, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the US to adhere to international conventions and ensure that deported Nigerians are treated with dignity.
During a meeting with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the emotional and financial burden these deportations place on affected individuals and their families back home.
She revealed that 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centres, with 85 already cleared for deportation.
The minister stressed the importance of handling repatriation processes with care, especially for those without a criminal record.
“Many Nigerians in the US provide essential support to their families through remittances that help sustain livelihoods and fund education.
“These deportations should not be sudden or traumatic, especially for those without violent criminal histories,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also questioned whether affected individuals would be given time to manage their assets before deportation.
“Will they be allowed to settle their affairs, or will they simply be bundled onto planes and repatriated?” she asked.
Nigerian government to end visa-on-arrival policy by April over security concerns
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria announced plans to phase out the visa-on-arrival policy, citing security risks and the need for stricter border control measures.
The decision was revealed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the graduation ceremony of 100 Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officers who completed specialised training on Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data application in national security and law enforcement.