The United States Mission in Nigeria has cautioned that visa fraud and overstays by some Nigerian travellers could lead to heightened scrutiny for future applicants.

In a post on X, the mission said the United States protects its visa system through rigorous screening and treats fraud allegations seriously, urging Nigerians to report any fraudulent visa-related activities to the appropriate authorities.

“Those who seek to commit fraud bring increased scrutiny on all visa applicants. We protect the U.S. visa system with rigorous screening, and our officers take fraud very seriously,” the post stated. It added that Nigerians continue to engage lawfully with the United States as workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.

The warning follows a similar advisory issued on February 9, when US authorities cited repeated overstays by Nigerian travellers as a key factor limiting opportunities for other applicants. Officials said stronger compliance helps preserve visa access for students, business travellers, and families who travel responsibly.

The advisory comes amid longstanding concerns by US consular officials about visa fraud linked to a small number of applications from Nigeria. These concerns have previously led to policy measures such as reduced visa validity and enhanced background checks, as the U.S. Department of State works to safeguard the integrity of its immigration system.