The United States Embassy in Nigeria has issued a reminder to Nigerian travelers that the expiration date on their U.S. visa does not determine how long they are permitted to stay in the country.

The advisory, posted on the embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, clarified that the duration of stay in the U.S. is determined by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry, not by the visa’s expiry date.

“The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in the United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date,” the post read.

Travelers were further advised to consult their I-94 form, which outlines the specific period they are authorized to remain in the country. The embassy emphasized the importance of adhering to these guidelines to avoid overstaying, which can carry serious immigration consequences, including deportation or future visa denials.

This clarification is part of ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to educate Nigerian citizens on immigration rules and discourage visa misuse.

The reminder comes in the wake of a recent policy change by the U.S. government, which significantly reduced the validity of certain non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas for Nigerian nationals. Under the new guidelines, most affected visas are now limited to a single entry and valid for only three months.

According to the U.S. State Department, the adjustment reflects a global reassessment of visa policies, guided by security and technical benchmarks. However, officials have also cited Nigeria’s reluctance to accept deported nationals as a contributing factor in the revision.

The embassy urged all Nigerian travelers to familiarize themselves with U.S. entry protocols and ensure full compliance with the terms of their stay to maintain eligibility for future travel.