The United States has issued a stern warning to Nigerian citizens, cautioning them against overstaying their authorized period of stay on U.S. visas. The U.S. government emphasized that any violation of visa terms, particularly overstaying, could result in deportation and possibly a permanent travel ban.
This warning comes amid a series of new travel restrictions and visa policies recently introduced under the administration of President Donald Trump, as part of his intensified immigration crackdown.
In an official statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said, “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future.”
The announcement follows the U.S. government’s recent revision of its visa reciprocity policy for Nigerian nationals. The updated policy now restricts non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visa types to a single-entry visa valid for only three months. The changes were attributed to issues related to visa overstays, improper documentation, national security concerns, and a need to align with reciprocal visa policies.
Additionally, the U.S. has introduced a new $250 mandatory Visa Integrity Fee, applicable to tourists, students, and temporary workers. This fee is part of a broader legislative update that includes several non-waivable surcharges such as:
A $24 I-94 fee
A $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program
These surcharges apply to a range of visa categories including:
B-1/B-2 (Business/Tourist)
F and M (Students)
H-1B (Temporary Workers)
J (Exchange Visitors)
Only diplomatic visa applicants under categories A and G are exempted from these fees.
In a related development, U.S. immigration authorities have introduced mandatory social media screening for all applicants intending to study in the country. Under the new policy, applicants are required to:
Provide all their social media usernames
Disable privacy settings to allow full vetting
President Donald Trump has consistently pushed for stricter immigration control since assuming office, signing several executive orders aimed at enhancing visa scrutiny and protecting national security. His administration has prioritized the removal of undocumented immigrants and the prevention of any potential threats posed by individuals entering or residing in the U.S.
These developments mark a significant shift in U.S.-Nigeria travel relations and serve as a cautionary reminder to visa applicants to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of their U.S. visas.
