ICYMI: US Extends Validity Of Tourist Visa For Nigerians

• The US tourist visa currently expires for Nigerians within 24 months.

• The US Mission in Nigeria has extended the validity.

• The extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months from March 1, 2023.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria is set to increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the US temporarily for business and/or tourism.

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According to a notice posted on the US Embassy’s website on Monday, the extension is effective from March 1, 2023.

“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 notice reads.

The US Mission noted that the visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity.

It disclosed that the move was aimed at reducing visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.

“Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria,” the US Mission said.

“The U.S. Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available.”

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Process and requirements for No-Interview Visa Renewal

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:

• You are physically present in Nigeria.
• 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 48 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.
• You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.

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