The United States government has issued a strong warning to Nigerian students on academic visas, stating that any failure to comply with visa regulations, including skipping classes, dropping out, or withdrawing from academic programs without proper notification, could result in immediate visa revocation, deportation, and ineligibility for future U.S. visas.
The caution was issued by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, reinforcing existing immigration laws governing international students on F-1 and M-1 visas.
“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,” the mission stated.
The post further advised students to strictly adhere to the terms of their visas and maintain their academic status throughout their stay in the U.S. to avoid any immigration consequences.
What the Rules Say
According to the U.S. Department of State and guidelines published on the embassy’s official website, international students must:
- Maintain full-time enrollment in an accredited institution.
- Attend all scheduled classes and demonstrate normal academic progress.
- Inform their Designated School Official (DSO) before withdrawing from any course or considering a leave of absence.
- Apply for a program extension if unable to complete studies by the original end date on their Form I-20.
Failure to meet any of these requirements could result in automatic loss of student status, which may lead to immediate deportation and long-term bans from reentering the U.S.
“Speak to your DSO before dropping a class,” the advisory reads.
“You may be eligible for a reduced course load under limited circumstances, but it must be approved in advance.”
Not the First Warning
This warning is the latest in a string of advisories issued by the U.S. to Nigerian visa applicants in recent months. In July, the U.S. Embassy cautioned that visa fraud, including the submission of fake documents, could attract a lifetime ban from entering the United States.
“Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life,” the embassy stated.
“A nation without borders is not a nation.”
Nigeria Immigration Service Also Weighs In
In response to rising concerns, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) issued its own advisory urging Nigerian travellers, particularly students, to strictly comply with the terms of their U.S. visas.
Spokesperson for the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, released a statement on Saturday, reiterating that visa holders who violate immigration laws — such as overstaying, working without authorization, or misrepresenting their visa purpose — face serious consequences, including deportation and permanent travel bans.
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications,” the NIS warned.
“U.S. authorities conduct checks beyond entry points, and any violation may lead to cancellation of the visa and future ineligibility for travel.”
The Service also cautioned against attempts to use tourist visas to give birth in the U.S. — a practice sometimes aimed at securing American citizenship for the child. Such actions, the NIS stressed, are seen by U.S. immigration as fraudulent and could result in visa denial or revocation.
Consequences at a Glance
| Violation | Possible Consequences |
|---|---|
| Skipping classes or dropping out | Visa revocation, deportation, future bans |
| Working without authorisation | Deportation, visa cancellation |
| Submitting fake documents | Lifetime U.S. travel ban |
| Giving false intent for tourist visa | Visa denial or revocation |
| Overstaying visa duration | Removal from U.S., permanent ineligibility |
Final Word: Stay Compliant
Both U.S. and Nigerian authorities have made it clear that the abuse of student and other visa categories will not be tolerated. Nigerian students currently in the U.S. — and those planning to study there — are strongly urged to stay in compliance, maintain honest communication with their schools, and follow all immigration rules to avoid losing the privilege to study or visit the United States.
The U.S. Mission concluded its statement with a reminder:
“Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues.”
