The US Government Monday announced the extension of validity of the tourism and business visa for Nigerians from two to five years.
This comes days after the Nigerian government announced that it had entered into an agreement with the US on the extension of tourist visa validity for both countries.
According to Rauf Aregbesola, Nigeria Minister of Interior, the new visa policy was approved to implement the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the two governments and is billed to cover tourist visas, as well as visas for diplomats and government officials.
In a statement, the US Consulate General stated that the extension which will take effect from March 1, 2023 will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians.
The statement reads:
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 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.
