The United States (US) Mission has expanded visa services to assist non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria who qualify to renew their visa.
According to a statement issued by the Information Specialist at Public Affairs Section, US Consulate General, Temitayo Famutimi; the new application procedure will begin in February at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos while it will be extended to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja later.
He said the number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited at the initial stage while the processing times for the programme are expected to be up to two months, within which the applicant will not be able to retrieve his/her passport.
Also, each applicant according to the statement, must individually meet the criteria as minors can also apply without an interview if they meet the criteria.
“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.
“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 so that as future opportunities for interview waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via the website,” the statement reads in part.
