The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a stern advisory warning Nigerians against the misuse of US visas and urged all visa holders to strictly abide by the conditions under which their visas were issued.
The warning follows growing U.S. government concerns over repeated violations by some Nigerian travelers.
These violations include illegal presence, unauthorized modification of the purpose of the visit, and other violations of U.S. immigration law.
US visa abuse is under intense scrutiny
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, shared the concerns raised by the US government regarding the misuse of US visas by Nigerians, according to a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa application.
“Applicants are reminded that security checks by U.S. authorities continue after initial entry. Violations of immigration or other laws may result in visa cancellation or deportation,” he said.
He stressed that violating visa conditions, including overstaying, could result in severe penalties, including deportation from the United States and permanent disqualification from future travel.
Demand compliance with immigration laws
Immigration officials noted that Nigerian students in the United States must remain actively enrolled in their academic programs, warning that withdrawal, absence, or change of academic program without notice could result in visa cancellation and loss of future eligibility.
He said the United States remains committed to maintaining safe and transparent visa procedures and expects strict compliance by all foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
This recommendation further emphasized the United States’ efforts to combat “birth tourism.” NIS said consular officials are now instructed to deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of the trip is to give birth in the United States and secure citizenship for the child.
Continued cooperation with US missions
Emphasizing the importance of compliance, Immigration Services said it continues to work closely with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to ensure Nigeria is not included in any expansion of visa restrictions.
It added that compliance with visa regulations is essential to protect the lawful travel of Nigerian citizens.
What you need to know
The United States has long warned Nigeria over high visa overstay rates, unauthorized activities and non-compliance with visa conditions. These concerns have led to increased scrutiny of Nigerian applicants during the visa process.
In early 2020, the U.S. government included Nigeria on its list of countries facing entry restrictions, citing issues such as inadequate information sharing about terrorist suspects, inadequate identity management systems, and security and compliance gaps. Although the restrictions did not completely ban Nigerians from traveling, they restricted access to immigrant visas and affected applications for permanent residence. Nigerian applicants have faced high denial rates for U.S. visas, often due to weak travel history and insufficient evidence. Concerns about the amount of funds, connections to Nigeria, and intentions to return home
This makes it difficult for many Nigerians to secure tourist, student, and even business visas.
