The United States Embassy in Nigeria has clarified that over 55 million foreign nationals, including Nigerians with valid US visas, are being screened under new security measures aimed at strengthening national security. Responding to concerns about sudden visa cancellations, the embassy explained that the US government is enforcing long-standing immigration laws to prevent individuals who may pose a threat from entering the country. This follows an article by Olufemi Soneye, a former spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, who revealed multiple cases of Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs receiving visa revocation notices without clear explanations or avenues for appeal.
In its response, the embassy stated that the revocations are part of ongoing efforts to uphold security. It noted that visa cancellations typically affect individuals who overstay their permitted duration, engage in criminal activities, or are linked to organisations that threaten US interests. Citing the Immigration and Nationality Act, the embassy stressed that the State Department has long held the authority to revoke visas at any time.
“Every prospective traveller undergoes interagency vetting, and continuous checks are conducted on more than 55 million foreigners holding valid US visas,” the embassy said. It further explained that under the Trump administration, the use of this authority has expanded, allowing revocations on a scale “never seen before.”
Alongside the cancellations, Nigerians are also facing new visa restrictions. Since July 2025, most non-immigrant visas—including B1/B2 (business and tourism), F1 (students), and J1 (exchange visitors)—have been issued on a three-month, single-entry basis. The embassy described this change as a technical and security-driven adjustment, not politically motivated.
In August 2025, the US Mission introduced a requirement for all applicants to provide a five-year history of their social media usage. Applicants must now include past usernames or handles on their DS-160 visa application forms. Nigeria’s Federal Government has vowed to reciprocate these new rules.
On September 2, the US Mission urged Nigerians to comply strictly with visa terms, warning that overstaying could have serious consequences for future travel. According to the US Department of State, over 700,000 visa overstays were recorded in 2023, with Nigeria among the most affected countries. Under US law, visa overstays between 180 and 365 days carry a three-year re-entry ban, while overstays exceeding one year trigger a 10-year ban.
Source: https://punchng.com/
