The Digest:
The United States Embassy has reminded Nigerian travellers that the expiration date on their visa does not determine how long they are permitted to stay in the country. The length of stay is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon arrival.
Key Points:
- US Embassy clarifies that visa expiration doesn’t determine the length of stay
- Duration of stay in the US is decided by CBP officers, not the visa’s expiration date
- Travellers are advised to check their I-94 form for the approved length of stay
- Clarification is part of efforts to prevent visa overstays and deportation risks
- Advisory follows new US visa policy affecting non-immigrant categories for Nigerians
- Visa validity reduced to three months with a single entry for Nigerians and other countries
The reminder comes nearly two weeks after the embassy announced new visa policies for Nigerians, partially due to Nigeria’s refusal to accept US deportees. The embassy explained that the changes are part of a global review of immigration systems, aimed at enhancing security.
Sources: TheCable
