US visa application in Nigeria! Everything you are eager to know about the latest news.
The US is one of the most preferred destinations for Nigerian travelers. If you are one of these people, then you are eager to know the latest news on the US visa application in Nigeria. You wish to get updates on U.S visa requirements for Nigerian citizens and much more.
A lot is changing due to the pandemic that is still afflicting the whole world. So, you should expect that these changes affect visa applications as well. The reason why we present this piece on the latest news on U.S visa application in Nigeria.
It contains information on when the US embassy will reopen after its long break. And we share details on the US visa fee for Nigerian applicants as well. Read on to discover all these and more.
The latest news on the US visa requirements for Nigerian citizens
The COVID-19 outbreak has affected how we do things around the world. This trend affects the US visa application as well. Consider the following US visa requirements for Nigerians and non-Nigerian nationals.
#1 – Updates on US visa requirements for Nigerian citizens applying for a tourist, business, and medical visas (B-1/B-2):
The U.S embassy expects you to measure up to the standard of those who deserve the US B1/B2 visa. The US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) contains all these requirements.
You must show that you genuinely wish to travel to the US for tourism, conference, or medical treatment. You must convince the consular officer that you plan to travel within the duration that the visa permits. A period under six months, in this case. And you must show adequate funds in your bank account, through your account statement.
The following are the documents you need when applying for a US visa for tourism/business/visitation/medical treatment (B-1/B-2 visa):
- International travel passport booklet (with a minimum of two blank pages and a six-month validity beyond your intended return date to Nigeria)
- The U.S (B-1/B-2) visa application fee receipt
- DS-160 form confirmation page.
- Appointment confirmation page. To complete your form online please click here
- 5cm x 5cm color passport photographs with white background
- A bank account statement showing transactions of the recent past six months
- Letter of introduction from your employer or your office (if you run your own business)
- Employment letter
- Company’s registration documents (if you own a business)
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Children’s birth certificate (if applicable)
- Valid flight reservation confirmation document
- Valid hotel reservation confirmation document (if you do not have a host in the US)
- Invitation, confirmation, or appointment letter from conference organizer, hospital, company, friend, or relative (if applicable)
- Landed property documents or proof of ownership of other assets (if applicable)
- Proof of residency or citizenship of friend or relative (if applicable)
#2 – Updates on US visa requirements for Nigerian citizens applying for student visas (F-1/M-1):
The U.S embassy still accepts and recognizes applications for student visas in Nigeria. The first thing you need before taking an academic (F-1) or a vocational (M-1) course in the US, is to secure admission. Thereafter, the institution will send you documents showing evidence of acceptance. The documents are the primary requirements for a US student visa.
The following are the documents you need when applying for a US visa for student (F-1/M-1) visas:
- International travel passport booklet. With at least two free pages for visa/entry stamps and a six-month validity as per the interview appointment date.
- The US (F-1/M-1) visa fee receipt
- Admission letter from an institution of learning in the U.S
- Duly signed Form I-20 from your prospective institution of learning. The US embassy now permits a printed copy of Form I-20 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. You can now use this copy both for the interview and for passing through immigration when entering the US. This is one of the latest news on U.S visa application in Nigeria.
- The DS-160 (application form) final confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation document
- 5cm x 5cm (2inches x 2 inches) color passport photo with white background
- Original copy of personal or sponsors statement of account for the recent past six months.
- Proof of ties (birth or marriage certificate) to sponsor – if applicable
- Previous academic documents/certificates – including WAEC and school transcripts
- Valid flight reservation confirmation document
If you are married with unmarried children below 21, the US immigration authorities still permit them to apply with you. To get their F-2 or M-2 visas, each of them needs the following:
- International travel passport booklet
- The U.S (F-1/M-1) visa fee receipt
- Duly signed Form I-20 from your prospective institution of learning
- 5cm x 5cm (2inches x 2 inches) color passport photo with white background
- The DS-160 (application form) final confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation document
#3 – Updates on US visa requirements for Nigerian citizens applying for work or other types of immigrant visas:
Sadly, the US government has stopped granting immigrant visas to Nigerians. Immigrant visas are for those who wish to permanently relocate to the US. These individuals could have done this through employment or family ties. But the opportunity is not available at the moment.
Before this ban, an employer or a relative can file a petition in the U.S for an applicant. Only for the applicant to continue the processing from Nigeria. But this is no longer the case.
However, the U.S embassy welcomes anyone who thinks they have a more valid reason why they should have an immigrant visa. The U.S authorities can grant an immigration visa to whosoever they please. But such an applicant has to be a Special Immigrant who has helped the US government in the past.
The following are the things to do when applying for immigrant visas:
- Fill the Forms I-130
- Schedule interview appointment
- Pay the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigrant Fee of USD 220, payable after you have your immigrant visa
US visa fees in Nigeria for 2021
The U.S visa fees in Nigeria for 2021 are the same as they were last year. There are indications that the rates may change soon because of the fluctuating exchange rates. You may visit this website regularly for timely updates on the latest news on US visa in Nigeria.
As always, the US embassy does not refund the visa fees in Nigeria. So, you should not expect a refund even if the embassy denies your visa application. But a visa fee payment lasts for one year. In as much as you do not use it to apply for a visa yet.
The following are the latest updates on US visa fees in Nigeria for 2021:
#1 – Us visa fee for (nonimmigrant) tourist, business, or medical (B-1/B-2) visa application:
The visa fee is NGN 59,200. You can pay at any GTBank branch, nationwide. Or you can pay on the GTBank internet banking platform if you have an account with GTBank.
#2 – The US embassy has canceled Reciprocity Fee payment for Nigerian applicants
The U.S government has canceled the Reciprocity Fee payment for Nigerians effective December 3, 2020. This is not only exciting but also a vital latest news on US visa application in Nigeria.
Before this development, applicants had to pay NGN 40,700 (or USD110) Reciprocity Fee whenever the embassy issues them visas.
The added charge is removed since the Nigerian government also canceled the extra charges on Nigerian visa fees for US citizens.
#3 – US visa fee for a student (F-1/M-1) visa application
The US visa fee in Nigeria for student visa application is NGN 59,200 as well. Prospective students no longer need to pay extra NGN 40,700 (or USD 110) Reciprocity Fees.
But the embassy expects them to pay for their SEVIS fee (USD 350) upon receiving their Form I-20. This payment is long before they attend their visa interview.
When will the US embassy reopen?
The U.S embassy announced in March 2020 that they would close their offices from March 23, 2020. The move was necessary to protect the lives of workers and applicants. Then reduce the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
But after many months of the US embassy’s closure, many potential applicants started researching when the U.S embassy will reopen. This session contains some information on this.
Like many consulates in Nigeria, the US embassy commenced limited services in October 2020. Below is a timeline of dates and types of services the US embassy commenced after its closure in March 2020:
- October 5, 2020: The US embassy partially reopened and started accepting passport renewal applications in Nigeria.
- November 16, 2020: The embassy commenced their acceptance of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) in Nigeria.
Do you plan to visit the U.S for a short visit? Then bookmark this page to get the latest news on U.S visa applications in Nigeria. It is important that you are the first to know when the U.S embassy will reopen. Because this knowledge helps you pick an earlier date for an appointment.
Also, you may call the U.S Embassy in Abuja on +234-9-461-4000. Or Call their Lagos office on +234-1-460-3400 for the latest news on U.S visa application in Nigeria.
Conclusion on the latest news on US visa application in Nigeria
The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has thrown many things out of order. Different embassies are introducing new policies every time. So, it pays that you speak to experts to get updates on visa application processes. Call Flyibat on 0809662194 for updates on the latest news on US visa application in Nigeria. You can also contact us by clicking here
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