The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has responded to rising concerns over its visa fee policy. Nigerians were frustrated that the fees remain non-refundable, even when applications are denied.
In a post on its official X handle, the embassy said, “We hear your concerns regarding U.S. visa application fees. Like most countries, U.S. visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome.”
It added, “While fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly.”
The statement comes amid heated public debate on fairness in U.S. immigration procedures. Many Nigerians have questioned the transparency of the system, especially when applications are rejected without refunds.
The embassy urged applicants to prepare carefully and follow all instructions to avoid denial, revocation, or cancellation.
It advised, “Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.”
New Social Media Vetting Rule
Applicants for F, M, or J visas must now adjust their social media privacy settings to public. This change is meant to help U.S. authorities verify identity and admissibility.
The embassy stated, “Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’.”
A new Presidential Proclamation will take effect on June 9, 2025. It restricts entry and visa issuance to nationals of certain countries deemed security risks.
“Applicants who are subject to this Presidential Proclamation may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.”
Barcode Requirement for Nigerian Applicants
In April 2025, the embassy revised interview requirements for Nigerians. Applicants in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 form with a barcode starting with “AA00”.
Failure to present a matching barcode will lead to disqualification.
The embassy warned, “The barcode must correspond with the one used to schedule the interview appointment online.”
Applicants are urged to use official resources on the U.S. Embassy Nigeria website and check updated visa fee schedules before applying.
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