Nigerians travelling to the United States have been issued a stern warning about overstaying their visa durations, with the U.S. government stating that such violations could lead to deportation and permanent travel bans.

In a post shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the US Mission in Nigeria reminded visa holders that remaining in the country beyond their authorised period could carry severe immigration consequences.


Visa Policy Shake-Up Targets Overstays and Fraud
This development is part of a broader immigration crackdown led by President Donald Trump’s administration, targeting visa overstays, national security threats, and documentation fraud.

Last week, the U.S. unveiled sweeping changes to its visa policies for Nigeria:

Non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas will now only be valid for three months and are single entry only.

A $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” is now mandatory for students (F and M visas), workers (H-1B), and tourists (B-1/B-2).

Additional surcharges have been introduced, including:

• $24 I-94 travel form fee

• $13 ESTA fee (for eligible visa waiver travellers)

Only diplomatic visa holders under categories A and G are exempt.

Social Media Now Part of Visa Screening
In a move that has raised concerns over privacy and digital surveillance, the US has mandated full transparency on social media accounts for student and exchange visa applicants. Nigerians applying for F, M, or J visas are now required to set their social media profiles to “public”.

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the embassy wrote. “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting.”

This aligns with an executive order signed earlier by President Trump, calling for extreme vetting of visa applicants to screen for links to terrorism and anti-American sentiment.

Trump’s Tough Stance on Immigration
Since taking office, President Trump has implemented a series of hardline immigration reforms aimed at reducing illegal immigration and increasing national security.

These include:

• Rapid deportations of undocumented migrants

• Restrictive visa policies for African and Middle Eastern countries

• A continued push for "merit-based" immigration and sponsorship-based visas

Analysts suggest the renewed focus on Nigeria reflects rising overstay rates and previous violations linked to fake documentation.

What This Means for Nigerians

• Nigerian nationals make up one of the largest groups of African immigrants in the United States. These new measures could disrupt plans for those seeking education, work, or travel opportunities in America.

• For students and professionals, the additional financial burden and intense scrutiny may encourage a shift toward alternative destinations like Canada, the UK, or the UAE.

As the situation evolves, prospective Nigerian travellers are urged to:

• Comply strictly with visa terms and durations

1. Avoid false documentation

• Stay updated on changing US immigration policies

• Consult authorised visa agents or lawyers to ensure accurate submiss

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