Bryan David Hunt, United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, has expressed concerns about the amount of Sierra Leoneans who overstay their visas in the United States.

Ambassador Hunt said that 15% of Sierra Leoneans who come to the United States on tourist and business visas overstay, while 35% of those on student visas stay illegally.

Ambassador Hunt explained that the United States government considers this tendency to be a significant issue. He emphasized that overstaying visas, working on a tourist visa, and failing to comply with the restrictions of student visas are all violations of US immigration laws.

“This cannot continue; we need to see Sierra Leoneans using their visas in accordance with US law, which means no overstaying, no working on a tourist visa, and adhering to the terms of the student visa.” He said. “This is a top priority for the current US administration”.

The Ambassador further stressed that ensuring proper use of visas is a top priority for the current U.S. administration. He urged Sierra Leoneans to comply with visa terms to maintain the integrity of the visa system and to avoid the negative consequences of illegal immigration.

The U.S. Embassy has yet to announce specific measures to address the issue, but Ambassador Hunt’s comments is a reminder of the importance of following visa regulations.