|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a fresh advisory clarifying that the expiration date on a visa is not the same as the length of time a traveller is permitted to stay in the United States.
The embassy warned Nigerian travellers against overstaying their authorised period, stressing that such determinations are made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the point of entry and not based on the visa’s expiry.
“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,” the embassy stated.
The clarification comes amid ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to reduce incidents of visa overstays, which could result in penalties, visa revocations, or deportations.
Read also: U.S visa: Nigerians now eligible for only single entry 3-month visas
It also follows the embassy’s recent announcement of a new visa policy affecting non-immigrant and non-diplomatic applicants from Nigeria and other countries.
Under the new policy, the validity of most U.S. visas for Nigerian travellers has been cut down to three months, with holders restricted to a single entry.
This represents a significant departure from earlier visa regimes that allowed longer validity periods and multiple entries.
The embassy, however, moved to address growing concerns and speculations about the rationale behind the policy shift.
In a statement, it clarified that the decision was part of a broader global review process aimed at reinforcing U.S. immigration safeguards, and was not in response to Nigeria’s diplomatic stance, its e-visa policies, or its ties to global coalitions such as BRICS.
“The reduction is not the result of any nation’s stance on third-country deportees, introduction of e-visa policies, or affiliations with groups like BRICS
Read also: Overstayed your U.S. visa? 7 practical steps to avoid deportation
“The reduction in validity is part of an ongoing global review of the use of U.S. visas by other countries using technical and security benchmarks to safeguard U.S. immigration systems”, the statement noted.
Despite the changes, the U.S. Mission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Nigeria and supporting the country in meeting the necessary security and immigration benchmarks.
The embassy reiterated its willingness to work collaboratively with both the Nigerian government and its citizens to facilitate safe, legal, and mutually beneficial travel between both countries.
