The US Department of State had reported over 700,000 visa overstays in 2023 alone, with Nigeria ranking among the top countries affected.
The Mission made it known that staying longer than they should in the country, especially beyond the authorised period, may lead to severe consequences, including restrictions on future travel, thus explaining what constitutes misuse of a U.S. visa.
It said, “It’s important to use your US visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the U.S. in the future.”
The warning comes amid growing concerns over strict US visa policies for application and compliance.
The 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act explains that a lesser-known but strictly enforced law that imposes a three-year ban on reentry for overstays between 180 and 365 days and a ten-year ban for those exceeding a year.
The Mission Hopes that this warning will reduce Nigerians overstaying beyond the expected time in the United States of America, as it will help them when they are visiting.
