The US government has said that starting March 1, the validity period of visitor visas for Nigerians who wish to temporarily travel to the US for business or tourism will be increased from 24 months to 60 months.
The US Embassy in Abuja revealed this in a statement on Monday.
The Embassy stated that the visa extension would allow Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months for short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew it.
“Starting March 1, 2023, the US Mission will increase the validity of the visitor visa from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.
“The visa extension allows Nigerians to use their visa for 60 months for short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa.
“The visa application fee, currently $160, will not increase as a result of the longer visa validity,” the statement read in part.
The increased visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce wait times for visa appointments in Nigeria, the embassy said.
“The US Mission continues to offer interview-free visa renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Appointments for visa renewals without an interview are available,” the embassy added.
On the visa renewal policy without an interview, the embassy stated that: “You may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L or C1/D Visa (combined only), and meets each of the following criteria:
“You are physically present in Nigeria, your previous visa was issued in Nigeria, your previous visa is in the same classification as your current application, your previous visa was a full validity multiple entry visa.
“Your previous visa expired in the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.
“You have all your passports covering the entire period since you received the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
“He has never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if he later received a waiver or pardon.
“He has never worked without authorization or stayed beyond the time allowed in the United States.
See our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for more information.
“If you are qualified based on the above criteria, please visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to start your application.
Please note that processing times for the program are expected to be up to two months and you will not be able to retrieve your passport during that time.
“Each applicant must individually meet the criteria; minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria themselves,” the Embassy added.
The Embassy also explained that for applicants in a life or death emergency, they can request an expedited in-person interview.
However, he added that to accommodate “No Interview Visa Renewals”, appointments will be very limited.
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The embassy also noted that business trips, conferences, weddings and graduations are not considered emergencies.
“If you have an emergency and need to travel immediately, please follow the instructions provided in https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng or +234-1-227-8955 to request an emergency appointment.
“Third parties not affiliated with the US Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos may attempt to leverage various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.
“Applicants must fill out their own forms and make their appointments themselves through the official websites.
“As future opportunities for interview waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via our website.
“Remember to trust information only from genuine sources: https://travel.state.gov, https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/and https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng.
“Avoid being a victim of a scam,” the Embassy advised.
(YAYA)