The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a strong advisory, urging Nigerian citizens holding United States visas to strictly adhere to the conditions under which their visas were issued.
The caution follows growing concerns by the U.S. government over repeated violations of visa terms by some Nigerian travelers.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Service’s spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, highlighted infractions such as overstaying, misrepresentation of travel purpose, and engaging in unauthorized activities while in the U.S. He warned that such violations may lead to serious penalties including deportation, visa revocation, and ineligibility for future U.S. travel.
“All visa holders must comply strictly with the terms indicated during their visa application,” the statement said. “Any breach—such as failure to leave the U.S. after the permitted stay or engaging in unapproved activities—could result in removal and permanent travel bans.”
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Akinlabi also advised Nigerian students studying in the U.S. to remain fully enrolled in their academic programs, noting that withdrawal, excessive absenteeism, or unapproved changes in academic status could lead to visa cancellation.
The advisory further pointed out increased scrutiny around “birth tourism,” where consular officers may deny visas to applicants suspected of intending to give birth in the U.S. solely for citizenship purposes.
The NIS emphasized its ongoing cooperation with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to ensure Nigeria is not subject to broader visa sanctions. It added that compliance with immigration rules is vital to preserving the credibility of Nigerian travelers.
Historically, Nigeria has faced high rates of U.S. visa denials and concerns about overstay rates, prompting tighter checks on applications.
