Overstay visa, get banned from America permanently, U.S. govt warns Nigerians

The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers about the severe consequences of overstaying their visas, stressing that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.

The US Mission in Nigeria shared the warning via its X account on Monday, clarifying that consular officers have full access to an individual’s immigration history, making it almost impossible to avoid penalties for past violations.

The statement emphasized that travellers must adhere to the terms of their visa, and ignorance of visa regulations will not be accepted as an excuse.

“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the US Mission stated.

The warning further explained that individuals who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year re-entry ban, while overstays exceeding one year could result in a 10-year ban. Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.

This comes amid stricter US immigration policies, particularly since the return of Donald Trump as US President.

In a related development, on February 16, 2025, the Nigerian government raised concerns about the deportation of its nationals from the United States, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.

During a meeting with US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, expressed the strain that these deportations are placing on Nigerian families.

She noted that no fewer than 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centres, with around 85 cleared for deportation, and called for a more humane approach to the process.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu added, “With the new US administration in place, we expect commitments to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity.”

The Nigerian government also expressed concerns about the impact of these deportations on Nigerians’ families, as many rely on remittances from relatives in the US for livelihood and education.