Ghana overtakes Nigeria in U.S. visa overstay rates, new report reveals

A new U.S. government report reveals a significant shift in visa overstay patterns, showing that Ghana has now surpassed Nigeria in overstay rates for non-immigrant visas, such as B1/B2 and F, M, and J categories, between October 2022 and September 2023. This shift marks an important change in visa compliance trends, as the analysis delves into individuals who overstayed their authorized period in the U.S. without a departure record or an approved visa extension.

The report reveals that a total of 510,363 individuals overstayed their visas within the U.S., representing 1.31% of expected departures. Additionally, there were 54,792 out-of-country overstays, amounting to 0.14% of expected departures. These numbers highlight the ongoing challenge of ensuring visa compliance among international visitors.

Ghana’s Rising Overstay Rates

The statistics show that Ghana, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in its overstay rate. In 2023, the U.S. issued 25,454 B1/B2 visas to Ghanaians for business or tourism purposes. Of these, 1,910 individuals overstayed their visas, leading to a significant overstay rate of 7.50%. Even more concerning, the overstay rate for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories) was even higher, with 21% of Ghanaians in these visa categories overstaying. Out of 2,559 student visa holders, 537 remained in the U.S. beyond their authorized stay.

This marks a noticeable deterioration in Ghana’s visa compliance compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel. In 2019, Ghana was issued 28,844 B1/B2 visas, with a more modest overstay rate of 5.09%. The overstay rate for student visas in 2019 was also lower, at 12.7%.

Nigeria’s Visa Overstay Statistics

While Ghana has overtaken Nigeria in terms of overstay rates, Nigeria still has a considerable number of overstays. In 2023, Nigeria was issued 84,051 B1/B2 visas, with 6,000 individuals overstaying, which resulted in a slightly lower overstay rate of 7.14%. For student and exchange visitor visas, Nigeria’s overstay rate stood at 15.60%, with 1,178 Nigerians overstaying out of 7,556 visa holders. Though Nigeria’s overstay rates are lower than Ghana’s, the overall trend reflects a growing challenge in ensuring compliance among visa holders from both countries.

Comparing this data to 2019, Nigeria issued 177,835 B1/B2 visas, and its overstay rate was considerably higher, at 9.88%. For student visas, the overstay rate was 13.43%, a marked improvement from 2023 levels.

Overstay Trends in Other African Countries

The report also sheds light on the overstay rates of several other African nations, with some countries seeing alarmingly high rates. For instance, Togo had an overstay rate of 19%, while Burkina Faso’s overstay rate was 12.13%. Ivory Coast and Mali also had notable overstay rates of 7.48% and 5.27%, respectively. These figures suggest a broader trend of visa overstays across the African continent, though the rates are not as high as Ghana’s.

What Is Considered a Visa Overstay?

A visa overstay occurs when a traveler remains in the U.S. beyond their authorized period of admission. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) categorizes overstays into two types: in-country overstays, where individuals fail to depart by their authorized date, and out-of-country overstays, where individuals depart the U.S. but after the authorized period.

The report emphasizes that accurate determination of overstays involves more than comparing entry and exit data; it also requires accounting for extensions of stay or status adjustments, which may delay or prevent a person from leaving the U.S. in accordance with their original visa terms.

The Importance of Data Collection and Visa Compliance

This newly released analysis also highlights improvements in the U.S. government’s ability to track and report visa compliance trends, particularly through enhanced data collection methods. These advances provide more reliable insights into how well international travelers adhere to their visa conditions. Understanding these trends is essential for maintaining U.S. immigration policies and ensuring the integrity of the visa system.

In conclusion, while Ghana has recently surpassed Nigeria in terms of visa overstays, both countries—along with others across Africa—continue to grapple with high overstay rates. As the U.S. government refines its ability to track these violations, it remains to be seen whether any significant shifts will occur in the coming years. The report underscores the importance of understanding these trends and adapting immigration policies to ensure visa compliance, not only for the U.S. but also for the countries from which visitors originate.