TheCable

The United States has extended the eligibility period for drop box or interview waiver for non-immigrant visa renewals in Nigeria.

The waiver, which began in March, had an eligibility period of 24 months.

In a statement on Friday, the US embassy said the eligibility period has now been extended to 48 months.

Non-immigrants whose US visas expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next three months may now qualify to renew their visas without an interview. 

“The US mission is also opening thousands of visa renewal appointments to assist applicants who wish to renew their visas,” the statement reads.

To be eligible for a no-interview visa renewal, your application must for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L or C1/D (combined only) visa.

You must also meet 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 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 offence in the US, even if you later received a waiver or pardon
• You have never worked without authorisation or remained beyond your permitted time in the US

“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,” the statement reads.

“Each applicant must individually meet the criteria; minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own.”

The embassy warned against dubious entities seeking to scam unsuspecting persons with false visa offers, and advised applicants to fill out forms themselves via the official websites.

Qualified candidates can visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng  to start their application, while further information is available at  https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/.

“As future opportunities for interview waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via our website,” the statement reads.

The development comes days after the US embassy said eligible Nigerians seeking to renew their student visas in the country can do so without an interview.

The no-interview visa renewal process in Nigeria was initially said to be available in limited capacity.