By Charles Pemu 
The United States has issued a fresh warning to Nigerians over visa fraud, illegal immigration, and document forgery. Offenders risk criminal prosecution and lifetime bans from entering the U.S.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the U.S. Mission said, “We will pursue criminal charges against those who engage in visa fraud and harbour illegal aliens.”
This comes days after the U.S. Embassy clarified that visa expiry does not determine how long a visitor can stay in the country. That decision is made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the point of entry.
Travellers are advised to check their stay duration via the official I-94 website to avoid overstaying.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is set to begin strict enforcement of visa overstay penalties from August 1, 2025. Foreigners have until July 31 to regularise their stay via an amnesty portal launched by the Ministry of Interior.
Overstayers will face:
- $15 daily fine from May 1, 2025
- 5-year ban for overstays of six months or more
- 10-year ban for overstays exceeding one year
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has urged its citizens in Nigeria to comply immediately to avoid future sanctions.