US govt threatens ban on Nigerians Overstaying Visas

The United States government has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the consequences of overstaying their visas. According to the US Mission in Nigeria, individuals found guilty of visa overstays could face severe penalties, including permanent bans from re-entering the United States.

In a post shared on its official X page on Monday, the US Mission emphasized that immigration authorities have access to a person’s full immigration history, making it nearly impossible to escape the consequences of past violations.

The statement clarified that overstaying a US visa is a serious offense with strict repercussions. It warned that there is no such thing as an “honest mistake” when it comes to visa violations, stressing that it is the responsibility of every traveler to adhere to the terms of their visa. Those who exceed their visa stay by more than 180 days but less than a year could face a three-year ban from re-entering the US, while overstays of more than one year could result in a 10-year ban.

This warning aligns with President Donald Trump’s administration’s broader immigration policies, which have recently expanded efforts to identify and remove individuals who violate US immigration laws. Since assuming office, Trump has intensified deportation campaigns, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. His administration has also clashed with judges over immigration policies, pushing into increasingly contentious political territory.