U.S extends visa validity for Nigerians to five years 

By Business AM

The United States of America (USA), has announced a new visa regime that will increase visitor visa validity from two years (24 months) to five years  (60 months) for Nigerians on temporary visit to the U.S for business and/or tourism.

The U.S, in a press statement by Will Stevens, the U.S. consulate general, said the new visa regime will take effect from March 1, 2023. It also assured that the price of the visa fee still remains the same.

“Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism

“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 visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity,” the statement partly read.

According to the statement ,increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the U.S to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria, while it continues to offer “No-Interview Visa Renewals” to those who meet the eligibility criteria.  It also disclosed that appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available.

During the weekend, the federal government directed full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for U.S. citizens with effect from March 1.

Rauf Aregbesola, the minister of interior, said the directive was issued following approval for the implementation of the new bilateral consular policy agreements between the two governments.

According to Aregbesola, the agreements among others include the reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for American Citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015; Extension of visa validity to three years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the U.S.