The United States has issued a stern warning to Nigerian citizens, cautioning that anyone who overstays the duration of their visa could face deportation and a possible lifetime ban from entering the country again.
The message was shared by the US Mission in Nigeria via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. It comes as part of a wave of tighter immigration policies aimed at curbing visa abuse and strengthening national security.
In recent weeks, US authorities announced a series of new travel restrictions and costs affecting Nigerian travellers. These include a revised visa policy limiting tourist and business visas to single entries valid for only three months. According to American officials, the move is based on growing concerns over visa overstays, falsified documents, and what they described as imbalanced visa reciprocity between the two countries.
In addition to stricter entry rules, the US government introduced a new \$250 visa integrity fee for Nigerians applying for student, tourist, and work visas. Applicants are also required to pay additional charges when processing their applications.
These new rules follow an earlier directive requiring Nigerians seeking to study in the United States to undergo enhanced screening, including mandatory disclosure of their social media profiles. Applicants must now set all their social media accounts to public as part of their identity verification process.
The US Embassy stated that every visa decision is tied to national security concerns and emphasised the need for thorough background checks.
These developments are part of a wider immigration crackdown that began after President Donald Trump assumed office. He has advocated for stricter visa screening procedures and introduced policies focused on deporting undocumented immigrants and blocking entry for individuals considered security risks.