U.S Warns Nigerians: Overstaying Visa Attracts Criminal Prosecution, Permanent Ban

The United States mission in Nigeria has warned Nigerians against overstaying their visas.

The mission stated that such violations could lead to consequences ranging from criminal prosecution to a permanent ban.

In a statement released on Monday via their official X account, the U.S. mission emphasised that its consular offices can trace a person’s immigration history to find out past violations.

“If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States, as well as criminal prosecution,” the statement read.

“Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’—it ‘is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the U.S. mission added.

President Donald Trump’s second term has seen the introduction of tougher immigration laws, which are aimed at keeping illegal immigrants off the U.S.

During Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, the U.S. government tightened immigration rules and imposed restrictions on some Nigerian visa applicants.

In 2020, Nigeria was placed on a travel restriction list that barred many from obtaining permanent residency (green cards), citing security concerns and a high number of immigration violations. The policy also made it harder for Nigerians to get U.S. visas, especially those with previous overstay records.

Although the former U.S. President, Joe Biden’s administration, lifted the immigrant visa ban in 2021, U.S. authorities have continued to enforce strict visa compliance rules.

Under U.S. immigration laws, overstaying a visa by more than 180 days can result in a three-year ban, while overstays exceeding one year could lead to a 10-year or even permanent ban.

U.S Warns Nigerians: Overstaying Visa Attracts Criminal Prosecution, Permanent Ban is first published on The Whistler Newspaper