Two days after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the United States made its amended visa policy for Nigerians public. This policy is stated to be in conformity with the most current reciprocal visa agreement between the US and Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Monday, applicants from Nigeria for tourist visas to the United States would now be eligible for five years (60 months) of travel authorisation as opposed to the previous two-year limit. The new system will go into effect on March 1st, 2023.
The publication also contained a list of individuals who were eligible for visa extensions without interviews.
Anybody applying for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only) visa falls under this group.
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The US embassy’s statement is as follows: “Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.
“The visa validity extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa.
“The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity.
“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.”
