The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued an advisory urging Nigerians to prioritize U.S. visa compliance to prevent expanded travel restrictions.
The NIS said it issued the advisory following concerns from the U.S. government about visa misuse.
The NIS, while emphasizing U.S. visa compliance, called on Nigerians to adhere strictly to the terms of their visa applications to avoid severe penalties like deportation or permanent travel bans.
This was contained in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi.
The statement highlighted that violations such as overstaying or engaging in unauthorized activities could jeopardize Nigeria’s standing with U.S. immigration authorities.
The advisory specifically cautioned students to maintain active enrollment in their study programs, noting that unauthorized withdrawal or absenteeism could lead to visa cancellation.
The statement reads in part: “Applicants are reminded that security screening by U.S. authorities continues beyond initial entry.
“Breach of visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel.
“Nigerian students in the U.S. must remain in active study. Withdrawal, absenteeism, or change of academic programme without notification may lead to visa cancellation and loss of future eligibility.
“U.S. consular officers will deny tourist visa applications if they believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.”
The NIS said it would continue to collaborate with the U.S. mission in Abuja to ensure Nigerians’ compliance with visa regulations.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this comes as the U.S. has repeatedly flagged Nigeria for high rates of visa overstays and non-compliance, leading to increased scrutiny of Nigerian applicants.
In 2020, Nigeria faced immigration restrictions due to issues like inadequate information-sharing and poor identity management systems.
