The United States government has declared that individuals who engage in visa fraud, including the use of fake documents, will be permanently barred from entering the country.

It also announced plans to intensify interagency efforts aimed at combating immigration-related fraud and ending illegal immigration. The disclosure was made on Monday in an official post by the U.S. Mission Nigeria via its verified X account.

The announcement is part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement and protect the integrity of the United States’ visa system. The U.S. Mission stated, “U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life.”

This implies that applicants who submit fake bank statements, fraudulent invitations, doctored academic records, or any other false documentation in their visa applications risk being permanently barred from entering the United States.

The announcement further stated that criminal charges will be brought against individuals involved in visa fraud, as well as those who bring in or shelter undocumented immigrants.

Also, the United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a strong advisory to its citizens residing in Nigeria, urging them to comply immediately with new immigration directives from the Federal Government.

The embassy cautioned that such action could result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entering the country. Prior to the warning by the U.S., Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had stated that there would be strict penalties for foreigners who overstayed their visas in the country.
He further encouraged all foreigners in Nigeria to regularise their immigration status through the immigration amnesty portal, which would be available until the end of July.

Issuing a warning to its citizens, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, through a statement on its website, advised all Americans residing in Nigeria to comply with the new directives to avoid penalties that may be imposed for non-compliance.
“U.S. citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria. All U.S. citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications.”

The embassy further noted that, as part of broader immigration reforms, Nigeria’s Interior Ministry introduced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor overstays their visa, effective May 1, 2025. An amnesty period, during which individuals can regularise their status without incurring fines, will end on July 31, 2025.

“And the penalties after August 1 include that visitors who fail to regularise their status by the end of the amnesty period will be subject to the accrued daily surcharge. Overstays of six months or more will result in a five-year ban on re-entry.

“Overstays of one year or more will result in a 10-year re-entry ban. The newly launched portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, lapsed single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence cards to: Submit applications for a stay permit online, Upload required supporting documents, Obtain clearance without visiting an immigration office, This streamlined system eliminates the need for in-person visits, long queues, and additional fees, making compliance with immigration requirements more accessible,” it added.