The US Mission in Nigeria has reacted to complaints regarding the non-refundable nature of US visa fees, claiming that the policies are consistent with global trends.
The embassy indicated that fees cover all application costs, regardless of approval.
The declaration comes amid public disputes about transparency and fairness in US immigration operations.
However, in a message posted on its X account on Tuesday, the United States assured Nigerians that each case would be thoroughly and fairly assessed.
It said, “We hear your concerns regarding U.S. visa application fees. Like most countries, U.S. visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome.
“While fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly.”
For optimum results, the mission recommended Nigerian visa applicants prepare their application carefully.
It also provided advice that will aid applicants in avoiding visa denial, revocation, and cancellation.
It advised, “Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.
“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.
“Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation on Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of certain countries.”
“Applicants who are subject to this Presidential Proclamation may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.”
The US Mission encouraged applicants to explore materials on its website.
Recall that in April 2025, the embassy altered the visa interview rules for Nigerian applicants.
As a result, all applicants attending interviews in Abuja and Lagos must produce a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation barcode that begins with “AA” followed by two zeroes.
The embassy stated that the barcode must match the one used to arrange the interview appointment online, and failure to submit a matching barcode will result in exclusion from the interview.
