On Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria announced that it will expand its services to help qualified nonimmigrant visa applicants.
It announced that a visa interview waiver program has begun, with a pilot project for applicants beginning at the US Consulate in Lagos.
Recall that, on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the embassy indefinitely suspended interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the 'Dropbox' process.
It stressed at the time that Nigerians seeking a non-immigrant visa to the United States must apply online and submit their application in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or the US Consulate General in Lagos.
Susan Tuller, the US Mission Country Consular Coordinator, said the project was no-interview visa renewals during a news briefing on Tuesday at the US Consulate in Lagos.
Tuller claimed that it would be limited at first and would only apply to applicants seeking renewal of academic exchange, employment, study, or tourism visas.
Every eligible applicant, according to her, must have a previous visa that has expired within the last 24 months or will expire within the next three months of the application date.
"She stated," she said "This is not the 'dropbox' non-immigrant visa interview waiver process.
The new application process will start in February at the US Consulate in Lagos and will be expanded to the US Embassy in Abuja shortly after.
The number of qualifying applicants who can use the new procedures to apply will be limited at first.
Those who match the requirements can apply in Lagos until the program is expanded to Abuja."
It announced that a visa interview waiver program has begun, with a pilot project for applicants beginning at the US Consulate in Lagos.
Recall that, on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the embassy indefinitely suspended interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the 'Dropbox' process.
It stressed at the time that Nigerians seeking a non-immigrant visa to the United States must apply online and submit their application in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or the US Consulate General in Lagos.
Susan Tuller, the US Mission Country Consular Coordinator, said the project was no-interview visa renewals during a news briefing on Tuesday at the US Consulate in Lagos.
Tuller claimed that it would be limited at first and would only apply to applicants seeking renewal of academic exchange, employment, study, or tourism visas.
Every eligible applicant, according to her, must have a previous visa that has expired within the last 24 months or will expire within the next three months of the application date.
"She stated," she said "This is not the 'dropbox' non-immigrant visa interview waiver process.
The new application process will start in February at the US Consulate in Lagos and will be expanded to the US Embassy in Abuja shortly after.
The number of qualifying applicants who can use the new procedures to apply will be limited at first.
Those who match the requirements can apply in Lagos until the program is expanded to Abuja."
She said the 'drop box' system didn't achieve its intended goals because it was fraught with "fraud, high overstay rates" whereas the consular unit aimed at strengthening "border security, productivity and customer service.
How to apply
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:
· 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 24 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; and
· You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.
To start application
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.
Emergency Appointments
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.
Special Note
Third parties unaffiliated with U.S. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos may seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.
Applicants should 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 the website.
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