Rachael Omidiji
The United States of America has extended Nigerian tourist and business visa validity from two to five years.
On Monday, a press release by the US Consulate General stated that as of March 1, 2023, it will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians.
Rauf Aregbesola, The Minister of Interior, said the decree was approved to implement the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the two governments.
According to Aregbesola, the agreements include the reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for American Citizens under Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015 and; Extension of visa validity to three years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the United States of America.
The US Consulate assured that the visa fee cost remains the same.
The statement reads, “Effective March 1, 2023, the US 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 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 renewing their visa. The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase due to the increased visa validity”.
“Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives the United States took to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.
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The US Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
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 the criteria.
“Please see our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for further information.
“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.
Minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria independently.”
