The United States government has intensified its visa restrictions and immigration enforcement, warning that Nigerians involved in visa fraud may face criminal prosecution.
This development follows closely after the US Embassy in Nigeria praised the federal government’s efforts to resolve recent concerns over visa validity — an issue that saw the US cut visa duration for Nigerian nationals to three months with a single entry allowance.
In an update shared via its X handle, the US Mission in Nigeria stressed that individuals aiding or harbouring “illegal aliens” in the US would also face serious legal consequences.
The Mission reaffirmed its strict stance on immigration violations, making it clear that those who use fraudulent documents to enter the US will be permanently barred from entry.
“U.S. government inter-agency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life.
“A nation without borders is not a nation. We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in visa fraud and those who bring in and harbour illegal aliens,” the Mission stated.
Visa Duration Clarification
This warning also follows a clarification issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria, reminding travellers that their visa’s expiration date does not determine how long they can stay in the US.
According to the Embassy, the length of stay is instead determined at the point of entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
Travellers were urged to check their I-94 form to avoid overstaying their permitted duration.
“The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in the United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection, CBP, officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date.
“A US visa allows you entry to a US port of entry and request permission to enter. How long you are allowed to stay in the United States is not your visa expiration date.
‘’The CBP determines your ‘Admit Until Date’ upon your arrival and you can check the date by which you must depart online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.”
Advisory to US Citizens in Nigeria
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Abuja has issued a strong advisory to American citizens living in Nigeria, urging them to comply with the Nigerian government’s new immigration guidelines.
This followed earlier warnings from the Trump administration that overstaying a visa could result in deportation and permanent entry bans.
The advisory comes after Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said foreign nationals who overstay their visas would face stiff sanctions. He encouraged foreigners to update their immigration status via the amnesty portal available until the end of July.
“The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens that effective August 1, 2025, the Nigerian Federal Government will begin imposing strict penalties on foreigners who have overstayed their visas.
“To provide an opportunity for affected individuals to comply with immigration regulations, an online immigration amnesty portal is available until the end of July. The portal allows visitors to regularise their stay before the penalties are enforced.
“US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria. All U.S. citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications.”
In its statement, the embassy also referenced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visa is overstayed, which Nigeria implemented starting May 1, 2025. The amnesty window allowing free regularisation will end on July 31, 2025.
“The penalties after August 1, include that visitors who fail to regularise their status by the end of the amnesty period will be subject to the accrued daily surcharge. Overstays of six months or more will result in a five-year ban on re-entry.
“Overstays of one year or more will result in a 10-year re-entry ban. The newly launched portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, lapsed single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence cards to submit applications for a stay permit online, upload required supporting documents, obtain clearance without visiting an immigration office.
‘’ This streamlined system eliminates the need for in-person visits, long queues, and additional fees, making compliance with immigration requirements more accessible,” the embassy added.