Ghana Surpasses Nigeria in U.S. Visa Overstay Rates: Report

A recent report from the U.S. government reveals a significant shift in visa overstay patterns, with Ghana overtaking Nigeria in the misuse of B1/B2 (business and tourism) and F, M, and J (student and exchange visitor) non-immigrant visas between October 2022 and September 2023.

The analysis identifies individuals who stayed in the U.S. beyond their authorized periods without a recorded departure or an approved visa extension. The report recorded 510,363 in-country overstays, representing 1.31% of expected departures, alongside 54,792 out-of-country overstays, or 0.14% of expected departures.

Ghana’s Visa Overstay Performance

In 2023, Ghanaians were issued 25,454 B1/B2 visas. Of these, 1,910 individuals overstayed their visas, reflecting a 7.50% overstay rate. For student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories), Ghana reported an even higher overstay rate of 21%, with 537 out of 2,559 visa holders remaining in the U.S. unlawfully.

These figures show a worsening trend compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, when Ghana’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate was 5.09%, and its student visa overstay rate stood at 12.7%.

Comparing Nigeria’s Visa Overstay Rates

In 2023, Nigeria issued 84,051 B1/B2 visas, recording a slightly lower overstay rate of 7.14%, with 6,000 individuals overstaying. For student and exchange visitor visas, Nigeria had a 15.60% overstay rate from 7,556 visas issued—significantly lower than Ghana’s 21%.

In 2019, Nigeria had a higher B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 9.88% and a student visa overstay rate of 13.43%, indicating an improvement in compliance over time.

Regional Overstay Trends

Other African nations also recorded notable overstay rates in 2023:

• Togo: 19%
• Burkina Faso: 12.13%
• Ivory Coast: 7.48%
• Mali: 5.27%

Understanding Overstays

A visa overstay occurs when a traveler remains in the U.S. beyond their authorized admission period. Overstays are categorized as either:

1. In-country overstays – individuals who do not record a departure.
2. Out-of-country overstays – those who leave after their permitted time.

The report highlights the importance of considering factors such as visa extensions and status adjustments when determining compliance. It also reflects enhanced data collection methods for better monitoring of visa trends among international travelers.