The United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned that visa overstays by some Nigerian travellers undermine opportunities for law-abiding students, business people, and families seeking legitimate entry to the United States.

In a post on X on Monday, the mission stated: “Visa overstays by Nigerian travelers can affect opportunities for their fellow citizens. Strengthening compliance helps protect access for students, business travelers, and families who travel responsibly.”

It urged anyone with information on visa fraud to report it confidentially to [email protected] or [email protected], using the hashtag #VisaWiseTravelSmart.

The reminder follows heightened US measures prompted by Nigeria’s documented overstay rates. According to US Department of Homeland Security data cited in a December 2025 presidential proclamation, Nigeria recorded a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visitor visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M, and J student and exchange visas.

These figures contributed to Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on 1 January 2026. The measure partially suspended issuance of B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F/M/J student and exchange visas, and all immigrant visas to Nigerian nationals (among 19 countries in the partial category), citing security and vetting challenges alongside overstay risks. Visas issued before that date remain valid.

In March 2026, the US State Department expanded a visa bond requirement to 50 countries, including Nigeria. From April 2026, many B-1/B-2 applicants must post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 (£11,500) to address overstay concerns, with a reported 97 per cent compliance rate among earlier participants.

Nigerians have also faced shorter visa validity periods and stricter scrutiny in recent years. Similar warnings from the US Mission in February 2026 highlighted how non-compliance by a minority leads to broader restrictions, affecting Nigeria’s overall visa reciprocity with the US.

The mission has consistently emphasised that responsible adherence to visa terms preserves access for genuine travellers while protecting the integrity of the system. Pre-2026 visas and limited exceptions for certain cases continue to allow lawful travel where rules are followed.