The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has raised a red flag over the growing misuse of United States visas by some Nigerian travellers, issuing a formal advisory to warn citizens against violating the terms of their visa approvals. This follows increasing scrutiny from U.S. immigration authorities, who have expressed concern over repeated cases of non-compliance by Nigerian visitors.
In a statement signed by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Akinsola Akinlabi, the Service reminded all U.S. visa holders to strictly adhere to the stated purpose of their entry as indicated during their application process. According to the NIS, any deviation from the approved category—whether it involves overstaying a visa’s duration or taking up unauthorised employment—could result in visa revocation, deportation, and possible bans on future U.S. travel.
The advisory specifically cautions Nigerian students in the U.S. to remain fully enrolled and active in their academic programmes. The Immigration Service noted that cases of prolonged absenteeism, unauthorised leaves, or complete withdrawal from school could lead to immediate cancellation of a student visa by U.S. authorities.
On another front, the NIS highlighted a concerning trend in which some applicants apply for B-2 tourist visas with the covert intention of giving birth in the U.S. in order to secure automatic American citizenship for their children. The agency made it clear that such motives are viewed as a form of visa fraud and could lead to outright denial at the consular level or later penalties during immigration checks.
While reiterating its commitment to protecting the reputation of Nigeria in the international community, the Immigration Service revealed that it continues to work closely with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to address any recurring issues and ensure that Nigeria does not feature in any future expansion of America’s visa restriction policies.
This warning comes amid ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to enforce stricter immigration controls and improve compliance monitoring for foreign nationals. The NIS, therefore, urges all Nigerian travellers to demonstrate integrity and full respect for the conditions of their visa approvals in order to maintain healthy bilateral relations between both countries.
