U.S Mission Expands Nonimmigrant Visa Renewals To 48 Months
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria says it is expanding the eligibility period for nonimmigrant visa renewals from 24 months to 48 months.
A statement from the Press Office, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Nigeria, told applicants whose previous U.S. visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months that they may now qualify to renew their visa without an interview.
The statement noted the U.S. Mission is also opening thousands of visa renewal appointments to assist applicants who wish to renew their visas as no-interview visa renewal appointments are available now
It notes that an applicant may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if applicant’s application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L or C1/D (combined only) visa, and such a perso must meet each of the following criteria:
Previous visa was issued in Nigeria, previous visa is in the same classification as the current application, previous visa was a full validity, multiple entry visa, previous visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.
The applicant must have all passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa, the applicant has never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if he later received a waiver or pardon.
To qualify for the no interview visa renewal, the applicant should have never worked without authorization or remained beyond permitted time in the United States.
The statement advised all those who qualified based on the above criteria, to visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to start their application.
It, however, cautioned that processing time for the programme is expected to last up to two months and the applicants will not be able to retrieve their passports during that time.
The statement stressed that each applicant must individually meet the criteria and that minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own.
It equally reminded applicants to be wary as third parties unaffiliated with U.S. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos may seek to take advantage of the various visa services to target them with fraudulent offers or claims.
Applicants should fill out their own forms and make their appointments themselves via the official websites.
It also promised that as future opportunities for Interview waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via the website: https://travel.state.gov, https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/, and https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng.
