Abuse of U.S. visas by Nigerians may trigger travel sanctions, immigration service warns
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned Nigerians to desist from abusing their United States visas, warning that violations could lead to deportation, visa cancellation, or permanent bans from future travel.
The advisory follows repeated concerns raised by the U.S. government over the conduct of some Nigerian visa holders, particularly cases of overstaying, misrepresentation, and unauthorised activities during their stay.
In a statement on Thursday, Akin Akinlabi, public relations officer of the NIS, said the agency is working with U.S. authorities to ensure that Nigeria is not included in any expanded visa sanctions — but warned that continued violations by individuals could harm the country’s global reputation and limit access for genuine travellers.
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications,” the NIS said.
“Applicants are reminded that security screening by U.S. authorities continues beyond initial entry. Any violation of immigration or other laws may result in visa revocation or deportation.”
The service warned that overstaying or deviating from declared intentions — such as using tourist visas for childbirth or employment — may attract severe penalties, including permanent ineligibility for future travel.
On Nigerian students in the U.S., the NIS stressed the importance of maintaining full-time academic status.
“Students must remain in active study. Withdrawal, absenteeism, or changing academic programmes without official notification may lead to visa cancellation and affect future eligibility,” the statement added.
The agency also cautioned against visa shopping and misrepresentation during application interviews.
It noted that U.S. consular officers may deny tourist visas if there is suspicion of hidden motives, especially in cases of birth tourism aimed at securing American citizenship for children.
“The NIS continues to collaborate with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to ensure Nigeria is not included in any expanded visa restrictions,” it said.
The agency urged all Nigerians to protect the integrity of their travel opportunities by strictly complying with visa rules and guidelines.
