The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has issued a formal advisory to Nigerian citizens planning travel to the United States, urging strict adherence to visa rules in light of growing concerns from U.S. immigration authorities.
According to NIS spokesperson ACI Akinlabi, the U.S. government has flagged recurring cases of visa misuse by Nigerian travellers, particularly regarding overstays and unauthorized activities, which can result in visa revocation, deportation, or even permanent travel bans.
“The NIS wishes to inform the general public about the concerns raised by the U.S. government over the misuse of visas by Nigerians,” Akinlabi said.
Akinlabi emphasised that Nigerian students must maintain full-time enrollment while studying in the U.S.
“Withdrawal, absenteeism, or switching academic programs without notification may lead to visa cancellation and future ineligibility,” he warned.
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The advisory also noted that consular officers may deny tourist visas to applicants suspected of engaging in birth tourism—travelling to the U.S. with the intention of giving birth to secure citizenship for the child.
The NIS reiterated its ongoing cooperation with the U.S. Mission in Abuja, with a shared goal of keeping Nigeria off expanded U.S. visa restriction lists.
“Compliance with U.S. visa regulations is essential to preserve the travel rights of Nigerian citizens,” Akinlabi said.
This advisory comes on the heels of recent policy changes by the U.S. Department of State:
- As of July 8, 2025, the U.S. revised its visa reciprocity rules, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerians to three months, with only single-entry privileges.
- A separate July 28 memo from the U.S. Mission warned that visa applications tied to birthright citizenship efforts may be denied and subjected to increased scrutiny and penalties for misrepresentation.
Nigeria now joins over 36 African countries actively issuing compliance advisories in response to increasing visa enforcement measures. These efforts reflect a continental shift toward alignment with global mobility standards, aimed at preserving diplomatic credibility and reducing immigration fraud.
The advisory also coincides with a Level 3 travel alert for Nigeria issued by the U.S. State Department in mid-July, citing high risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and poor healthcare infrastructure as reasons for Americans to reconsider travel to the country.
Image Credit: Independent Newspaper Nigeria
