U.S. Sends Clear Message to Nigerian Travelers: Don’t Overstay Your Welcome
The United States has issued a strong reminder to Nigerian visitors: stick to your visa timeline or risk serious consequences.
In a message shared on the official 𝕏 account of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, travelers were cautioned against overstaying their authorized stay. The post made it clear—violating visa terms could lead to deportation and a lifetime ban from re-entering the country.
This warning isn’t coming out of the blue. It follows a series of recent policy changes aimed at tightening immigration controls, particularly under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
As part of the new measures, Nigerians applying for non-diplomatic visas—whether for study, tourism, or work—are now only eligible for a three-month single entry. The shift is part of efforts to address issues like visa misuse and gaps in documentation.
In addition to stricter visa limits, applicants are now expected to pay a $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This applies to several categories, including student visas (F and M), business/tourist visas (B1/B2), work visas (H-1B), and exchange visitor visas (J). Only diplomatic personnel under categories A and G are exempt.
The new rules don’t stop there. Other mandatory charges include a $24 I-94 form fee and a $13 ESTA fee for those entering via the Visa Waiver Program.
The U.S. government says the goal is to strengthen reciprocity policies, crack down on fraudulent entries, and tighten national security checks.
Adding another layer of scrutiny, the embassy has also introduced mandatory social media screening for some visa applicants. F, M, and J visa seekers are now required to keep their social media accounts public, giving U.S. authorities access to past posts and interactions as part of the evaluation process.
These changes reflect a broader push for tougher immigration protocols and more thorough background vetting, all part of a larger strategy introduced during the Trump era.
For Nigerians hoping to visit, the message is clear: follow the rules, or risk losing access altogether.
