By Atoyebi Nike
The United States Mission in Nigeria has addressed growing concerns over its non-refundable visa fees, stressing that the charges align with global standards and cover application processing costs regardless of approval.
In a statement on its X handle on Tuesday, the embassy assured Nigerians that all visa applications are “reviewed thoroughly and fairly,” even though fees cannot be refunded or transferred.
“To achieve the best results, applicants should carefully prepare their applications,” the Mission advised, while also publishing guidelines to reduce risks of visa denial, revocation, or cancellation.
The Mission urged applicants to book interviews in their country of residence or nationality and comply with updated requirements, including presenting a DS-160 form with a valid confirmation barcode beginning with “AA00” for appointments in Abuja and Lagos.
It also announced new vetting rules for F, M, and J visa applicants, requiring them to set their social media accounts to “public” to verify identity and admissibility under U.S. law.
Citing a Presidential Proclamation effective June 9, 2025, the embassy noted that visa issuance and entry for nationals of certain countries will be suspended or limited for national security reasons. Affected applicants may still apply and attend interviews but could face ineligibility for final approval.
