The US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria has announced that starting from March 1, 2023, the validity of the Visitor Visa for all Nigerians who want to enter the territory of the United States temporarily for tourism and business purposes will get increased from 24 months to 60 months.
The decision to increase the visa validity for Nigerians was taken in order to reduce visa appointment times in Nigeria, and the move means that citizens of Nigeria will now be able to use their visa for 60 months for short trips before having to renew it, VisaGuide.World reports.
“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 statement of the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria reads.
The same has explained that the visa application fee will continue to remain the same ($160) and has stressed that appointments for No-Interview Renewals are already available.
Nigerians may be eligible for a visa renewal without attending the interview provided that their application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J, H, L, or C1/D visa and they meet certain requirements.
Nigerians holding one of the visas mentioned above who want to renew their visa without an interview must be physically in Nigeria. Their previous visa must have been issued in Nigeria and be in the same classification as the current one.
Moreover, in order to be eligible, the visa holders must prove that their previous visa was full validity and that it expires within the last 48 months or will expire in the next three months from the date of application for renewal.
In addition, Nigerians who want to renew their visa without an interview must also have all of their passports, prove that they never have been arrested or convicted of any crime while in the US, as well as prove they have never worked without authorizations or stayed in the US more than permitted.
According to the authorities, the processing times for the program will be up to two months, and all applicants will be able to retrieve their passports during that time.
Citizens of Nigeria planning to reach the US for tourism purposes need to apply for a B2 Visa – Tourist Visa, whereas those planning to reach the country for business purposes, need to apply for a B1 Visa.
Nigerians applying for a tourist visa must submit Form DS-160, pay the application fee, schedule the interview, and compile the documents file.
The file must include the applicant’s passport, a photograph, confirmation page and code of Form DS-160, receipt of paid visa fee, a letter stating the purposes of the trip, interview confirmation page, proof of having sufficient financial means, and criminal records, among many others.
>> US Visa Types, Requirements & Everything Else You Need to Know
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