The United States government has issued a fresh warning to international students, including Nigerians, regarding strict compliance with visa rules.
According to a post shared on Monday via the official X handle of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, any international student who drops out, skips classes, or abandons their academic programme without proper notification risks immediate revocation of their student visa.
“If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues,” the U.S. Embassy emphasized.
In response, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) reiterated its stance, urging Nigerian travelers to comply fully with the terms of their U.S. visas. According to the agency, failure to comply with immigration laws could lead to visa cancellation, deportation, and blacklisting.
The NIS pointed out that:
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications. Applicants are reminded that security screening by U.S. authorities continues beyond initial entry. Any violation of immigration or other laws may result in visa revocation or deportation.”
This advisory also comes at a time when U.S. authorities are reportedly increasing efforts to combat “birth tourism”, a practice where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. primarily to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
As part of this effort, consular officers have been instructed to deny tourist visa applications where they suspect the primary purpose of travel is to give birth in the United States.
This warning follows the recent update to U.S. visa policy affecting Nigerian nationals. In a policy revision implemented earlier in 2025, the U.S. reduced visa validity periods for most nonimmigrant visa categories.
Under the new rules:
- Most Nigerian applicants in categories such as business (B1) and tourism (B2) will now receive single-entry visas valid for only three months.
- This is a significant change from the previous system, where some nonimmigrant visas had multiple entries and longer validity periods.
- However, visas issued before July 8, 2025, remain valid for the original duration and terms.
This move, according to U.S. officials, is part of a broader effort to align visa policies with global security protocols and reduce overstays and misuse of U.S. visas.
What International Students Should Know
If you are currently studying in the United States under a student visa (typically F-1), the following guidelines are critical to maintaining your legal status:
- Always attend classes and make academic progress.
- Do not drop out of your program without formal communication with your school and the appropriate visa authorities.
- Seek proper authorization before taking a leave of absence, transferring schools, or changing academic programs.
- Stay in close contact with your Designated School Official (DSO) to ensure that your SEVIS record remains active and compliant.
The warning issued by the U.S. government is a strong reminder of the consequences of breaching visa conditions. Nigerian students and other international candidates must be vigilant and proactive in maintaining compliance to avoid future immigration challenges.
At BsgistNews, we advise current and prospective students to:
- Familiarize themselves with U.S. visa terms
- Avoid relying on shortcuts or misinformation
- Consult educational or immigration advisers before making program changes
