According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
a total of 29,723 Nigerian immigrants who travelled to the United States of
America in 2018 overstayed their visas.
In a new report released by the DHS, the number of Nigerian
immigrants who overstayed their non-immigrant tourism/business (B1/B2) visas
between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018 represents 15.18% of the total
195,785 expected departures.
The DHS described an overstay as a non-immigrant who was
lawfully admitted to the U.S. for an authorised period, but remained beyond his
or her authorised period of admission. Of the 29,723 culprits who arrived in
the North American country through the air or sea port of entry, there's no
departure record for 29,004, while 719 left after their visas officially
expired.
Nigeria's high overstay rate might not be unconnected to the
announcement this week by the U.S. embassy in Nigeria that the visa interview
waiver for those renewing visas in the country has been indefinitely suspended.
Before the suspension, Nigerian holders of US visa types
B1/B2, F, H, and L could renew their visas online by processing it through DHL
using one of several dropbox locations across the country without attending
physical interviews.
With the suspension, such people will now have to visit the
embassy in Abuja or consulate in Lagos for in-person interviews, a process
that's expected to lead to delays in scheduling appointments.
