Visa overstay can ruin chances of others, US warns Nigerians

By Nkiruka Nnorom

United States of America has cautioned Nigerians against visa overstay, warning it could ruin chances for fellow citizens seeking to travel for business or study purposes.

The warning came amid ongoing immigration crackdown and travel restrictions being implemented by the US government under President Donald trump.

In a post shared on X yesterday, the US Mission in Nigeria said strengthening compliance protects other responsible travelers and called on Nigerians to report visa fraud to [email protected] or [email protected].

The Mission said: “Visa overstay by Nigerian travelers can affect opportunities for their fellow citizens.

Strengthening compliance helps protect access for students, business travelers and families, who travel responsibly. If you are aware of visa fraud, please report to [email protected] or [email protected].

The US government had been implementing measures to crackdown on visa overstays, particularly targeting nationals from countries with high rates of overstay, including Nigeria.

As part of the crackdown, it partially suspended the issuance of certain visa categories to Nigerian nationals, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as immigrant visas. This restriction took effect on January 1, 2026.

It cited security concerns, difficulties in vetting travellers, and high rates of visa overstays as reasons for the decision, specifically stating that Nigeria recorded a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 per cent and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent for F, M, and J visas.

The restriction applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the US on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa. Nigerians who already possess valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, will not be affected. Strengthening compliance helps protect access for students, business travelers and families, who travel responsibly. If you are aware of visa fraud, please report to [email protected] or [email protected].

The US government had been implementing measures to crackdown on visa overstays, particularly targeting nationals from countries with high rates of overstay, including Nigeria.

As part of the crackdown, it partially suspended the issuance of certain visa categories to Nigerian nationals, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as immigrant visas. This restriction took effect on January 1, 2026.

It cited security concerns, difficulties in vetting travellers, and high rates of visa overstays as reasons for the decision, specifically stating that Nigeria recorded a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 per cent and an overstay rate of 11.90 percent for F, M, and J visas.

The restriction applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the US on the effective date and do not hold a valid visa. Nigerians who already possess valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, will not be affected.

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