The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has clarified its policy on visa application fees, stressing that they are non-refundable and non-transferable, in line with global practices.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, the embassy explained that the fees are meant to cover the administrative costs of processing applications, regardless of whether the visa is approved or denied.
“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. While fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly,” the embassy stated.
The clarification comes amid rising public debates in Nigeria over transparency and fairness in U.S. immigration procedures.
The embassy urged applicants to carefully prepare their applications and follow available guidelines to avoid denial, revocation, or cancellation. It advised applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas to:
- Schedule interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality.
- Adjust their social media accounts to public settings to aid identity verification during vetting.
The embassy also referenced a new Presidential Proclamation on national security, effective June 9, 2025, which will suspend or limit visa issuance and entry for nationals of certain countries. While affected applicants can still apply and attend interviews, they may ultimately be ineligible for visa issuance.
Applicants were further reminded to rely on official resources provided on the embassy’s website.
Earlier in April 2025, the U.S. Mission revised interview requirements for Nigerian applicants. It mandated that all applicants at Abuja and Lagos embassies must present a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation barcode starting with “AA00”, which must match the barcode used to book the appointment. Any mismatch, the embassy warned, would result in disqualification from the interview.
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