Soon Nigerians May Need Guarantors or Sureties to Get U.S. Visas For Overstaying in U.S.

Everyone knew it would be drastic changes for Nigerians who want visas to visit U.S. Yes, when one country (Nigeria) records 10% of people who overstay their visas, America would be expected to look deeper. When U.S. took off the Dropbox option, I knew that was the beginning.

Now, according to Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, the options may even look more challenging – “Things like you have to have guarantor or surety and the like, all those things are what they are trying to apply to really address this issue.” Unfortunately, the problem is not asking for a guarantor, the deal is if that becomes the norm, the system would then be rigged for those that can provide credible guarantors – yes, rich people with fat bank accounts. The poor boy attending a conference or going to school on scholarship may experience lockout. But no one can blame U.S. for exploring ways to execute its immigration plan.

The minister said most of the unfavourable migrant decisions taken by some countries were triggered by the negative perceptions about few Nigerians who do not obey the rules of those countries.

“The issue of migration is a challenge and such a sensitive topic because the U.S. has just suspended the `Dropbox for visas renewals.

“And a lot of it is that they released statistics to show that 10 per cent of people who overstayed their visas globally are Nigerians.

“Those who do not obey the rule of other countries’ have more negative impact on those who obeyed,” the minister said.

[…]

“The issue of those who overstayed their visas is a real issue. We have engaged with the U.S government over it.

“We are just trying to work through them and they are looking at various alternative and solutions and to make less difficult for the genuine visitors and the like.

“Things like you have to have guarantor or surety and the like, all those things are what they are trying to apply to really address this issue,” he said.

Comment on LinkedIn Feed

1. Trump Administration immigration is based on this premise that “Immigration is a privilege not a right”. Folks overstaying their visas are making the issue of non immigrant visa quite a complicated one. But again, one must also understand the reasons why people overstayed their visas. It’s no brainer when you come to sanner climate where things work and you can be somebody without knowing anyone. I completely understand both sides of the argument. The man or woman overstaying his or her visa is not looking at the strategic impact to the country of origin or US in this case but just want to survive. The onus is on the US to use every tool they know how to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the fall out will be bad. Fixing Nigeria or just moving Nigeria in a different direction from its current course might change the outlook of Nigeria when it comes to immigration.
2. The Trump Nation is on a mission, many things will change around the world, within a decade perhaps. Unfortunately, the word – ‘genuine’ is relative, no one can truly figure out what is in another’s heart, there are too many barriers… Well, people are looking for better life, and where things are easier, so the struggle continues.

Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Jun 3 - Sep 2, 2024), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.