The United States government has reminded Nigerians and other international travellers that possessing a valid US visa does not automatically determine how long they are permitted to remain in the country, stressing that the final decision rests with immigration officers at the port of entry.
In a statement issued on Monday, the US Mission in Nigeria clarified that the duration of stay granted to every visitor is determined by officers of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival in the United States, regardless of the validity period printed on the visa.
According to the mission, travellers should not assume they can remain in the country until their visa expires. Instead, they are advised to check their Form I-94, the official arrival and departure record, which contains the “Admit Until Date” indicating the exact date they are authorised to remain in the US.
“The visa allows you to travel to a US port of entry and request admission. It does not determine how long you may stay,” the statement emphasised.
Form I-94 is issued electronically during the admission process for most foreign nationals entering the United States through airports and seaports. The document is required for nearly all non-US citizens except returning lawful permanent residents, immigrants entering with immigrant visas, US citizens, and most Canadian nationals visiting or transiting through the country
Travellers entering through selected land border crossings or ferry ports also have the option of applying for a provisional Form I-94 before arrival to help speed up the entry process.
The US government warned that visitors who remain in the country beyond the “Admit Until Date” on their I-94, even if their visa has not expired could face serious immigration consequences.
These penalties include being classified as having overstayed their authorised stay, cancellation or revocation of existing visas, difficulties obtaining future US visas, and, in some cases, restrictions on re-entering the United States.
Immigration experts have consistently advised visitors to monitor the expiry date on their Form I-94 rather than relying solely on the visa sticker in their passport. Travellers who need to extend their stay are encouraged to apply through the appropriate US immigration channels before their authorised stay expires.
The reminder comes as US immigration authorities continue to tighten compliance with immigration regulations and closely monitor visa overstays.
Nigeria remains one of the countries under increased scrutiny over visa compliance. Last year, the United States placed Nigeria on a list of countries subject to partial travel restrictions, citing concerns related to security and travel documentation.
Official US overstay data also shows that Nigeria recorded a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for holders of B-1/B-2 visitor visas, while the overstay rate for F, M and J visas,which cover students, vocational trainees and exchange visitors, stood at 11.90 per cent.
The latest advisory serves as another reminder for Nigerian travellers to strictly comply with US immigration rules by observing the authorised period of stay indicated on their Form I-94 and ensuring they depart the country before that date unless they have obtained an approved extension.
