US Issues Stern Warning to Nigerian Travelers: Visa Overstays Could Lead to Permanent Bans as Nigeria Raises Concerns Over Mass Deportations
The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travelers about the severe consequences of overstaying their visas, cautioning that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.
The US Mission in Nigeria delivered the message via its official X handle on Monday, emphasizing that immigration authorities have full access to an individual’s immigration history, making it nearly impossible to evade penalties for past violations.
“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 statement read.
Under US immigration law, overstaying a visa by more than 180 days but less than a year could result in a three-year ban, while overstays exceeding one year could trigger a 10-year ban. Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.
Since Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, immigration policies have become stricter, affecting visa holders globally.
Meanwhile, on February 16, 2025, the Nigerian government expressed concern over the deportation of its nationals from the US, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.
During a meeting with US Ambassador Richard Mills Jr., Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, highlighted the emotional and financial toll these deportations place on affected individuals and their families. She revealed that 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with 85 already cleared for deportation.
“We expect commitments from the new US administration to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated. She also stressed that many Nigerians in the US contribute significantly to their families back home through remittances, which sustain livelihoods and fund education.
She urged US authorities to allow affected individuals time to manage their assets before deportation, questioning whether they would be given the opportunity or simply “bundled into planes and repatriated.”
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