The United States Mission in Nigeria, on Tuesday, has warned Nigerian travellers to comply strictly with the conditions of their visas, warning that overstaying or misusing them could attract long-term travel bans.

This was even as the UK Home Office has confirmed it has begun directly contacting foreign students whose visas are due to expire, warning them to leave the United Kingdom or face removal if they overstay.

In an advisory shared via its official X handle, the US Mission stressed that visas must be used in line with their terms, pointing out that exceeding the authorised period of stay in the U.S. constitutes a violation that could limit a traveller’s chances of securing approval for future trips.

“It is important to use your U.S. visa according to its terms. Misusing it, for example, by overstaying, may affect your ability to travel to the U.S. in the future,” the embassy noted.

The warning comes against the backdrop of rising concerns over visa compliance and stricter enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

According to the U.S. Department of State, more than 700,000 foreign nationals overstayed their visas in 2023, with Nigeria listed among the countries with significant numbers of violators.

Under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, non-citizens who remain in the U.S. beyond their authorised stay face serious consequences.

Those, who overstay between 180 and 365 days, can be barred from reentry for three years, while overstays of more than a year carry a mandatory 10-year ban.

Analysts note that the advisory highlights the growing pressure on Nigerians to observe international travel rules, as both overstays and misrepresentation can damage an individual’s immigration record.

Travel experts are urging applicants to familiarize themselves with the rules of each visa category to avoid avoidable penalties.

So far, approximately 10,000 students nearing the end of their studies have received the warning messages, with government estimates suggesting that a further 130,000 students and dependents could be contacted in the coming months.

The crackdown comes amid wider reforms to Britain’s immigration system.

In May, ministers announced stricter visa compliance requirements for universities and reduced the post-study work period for graduates from two years to 18 months.

Officials also stressed that students attempting to remain illegally will see asylum claims “swiftly and robustly refused.”

Last year, of the 108,000 asylum applications lodged in the UK, about 40,000 were from people who had initially entered legally, students being the largest group among them.