The United States Mission in Nigeria has reminded international travellers that the length of time they are permitted to remain in the United States is determined by an American Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival, not by the visa’s expiration date.

In a travel advisory posted by the mission, the statement clarified that while a United States visa allows a foreign national to travel to a United States port of entry and request admission, the duration of stay is decided upon arrival by a CBP officer.

Visitors were advised to check their I-94 record online to confirm their “admit until” date, which indicates the deadline by which they must leave the United States.

‎The mission also reminded United States citizens, including dual nationals, that they are legally required to enter and leave the United States using a valid United States passport.

It warned that dual-national United States citizens are not permitted to use a foreign passport to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), noting that the Department of Homeland Security routinely denies or cancels such applications.
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It further urged American citizens living abroad to renew their passports before travel, noting that many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months before entry.
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Meanwhile, the United States Mission announced the retirement of Consul General Rick Swart, marking a distinguished Foreign Service career spanning Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
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The statement noted that he had now departed Nigeria to begin a well-earned retirement, adding that, in Lagos, CG Swart deepened United States-Nigeria ties, boosting trade, investment, innovation, and the creative industries.