The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned Nigerian citizens to use their United States visas strictly for the purposes declared during their application, following growing concerns from U.S. authorities about visa violations.
According to the Vanguard, this was revealed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPR0), Akinsola Akinlabi, saying Nigerians holding U.S. visas must adhere to the terms and conditions under which the visas were granted.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to inform the general public of concerns raised by the United States Government regarding the misuse of U.S. visas by Nigerians.
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications.
“U.S. authorities conduct security screening beyond the initial point of entry into the country. Any breach of immigration or other laws can lead to visa revocation or deportation.
“Breach of visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel,” he said.
According to him, the U.S. remains committed to maintaining a secure and transparent visa process and expects all visa holders to comply fully with its immigration regulations.
He also advised Nigerian students in the U.S. to remain in active study programmes and refrain from unauthorised withdrawal or absenteeism.
He noted that such actions could result in visa cancellation and the loss of future eligibility for U.S. travel.
The NIS further cautioned that U.S. consular officers have the discretion to deny tourist visas to Nigerians believed to be traveling with the intention of giving birth in the United States, as part of efforts to curb birth tourism aimed at acquiring automatic citizenship for children.
In light of such concerns, the NIS reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing cooperation with the U.S. Mission in Abuja.
The agency also emphasized the importance of Nigerians respecting U.S. visa regulations. It stated that widespread adherence to visa terms is critical to ensuring that genuine travelers can continue to access legal entry and opportunities abroad without facing collective penalties.
