According to the US Mission, starting March 1, 2023, the visitor visa validity period for Nigerians who want to visit the US for business or tourism would be extended from 24 to 60 months.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the visa validity extension allows Nigerians to utilize the visa for 60 months to make brief excursions to the United States for tourism or business before needing to renew their visa.
The visa application fee, which is presently USD160, will not increase as a result of the longer visa validity, according to the statement.
“Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.
“The U.S. Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
“Appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available.”
On No-Interview Visa Renewal, it said: “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 (combined only) visa, AND you meet 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 within 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 receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
“You have never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon.
“You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.”
The Mission urged that further information be sought at the website :
https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ .
“If you are qualified based on the above criteria, 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 on their own.”
On Emergency Appointments, it said: “If you have a life-or-death emergency, you may request an expedited, in-person interview;
“However, to accommodate No-Interview Visa Renewals, appointments will be very limited.
“Business travel, conferences, weddings, and graduations are not considered emergencies.
“If you have an emergency and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at
https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng or +234-1-227-8955 to request an emergency appointment.”
The Mission alerted that third parties unaffiliated with U.S. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos
might seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.
It advised applicants to fill out their own forms and make their appointments themselves via the official websites.
“As future opportunities for Interview Waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via our website.
“Remember to rely on information only from genuine sources: https://travel.state.gov,
https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/, and https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng.
“Avoid becoming the victim of a scam!,” the U.S. Mission advised.
