The United States Mission in Nigeria has responded to widespread complaints from Nigerians about paying steep U.S. visa fees without any assurance that their applications will be approved.
According to a statement shared on its official X account and the U.S. Department of State website, the Mission explained that visa charges are non-refundable and non-transferable, but every application receives a thorough and impartial review.
“We understand the concerns regarding U.S. visa application fees,” the notice said. “As with most countries, these fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome. Each application is carefully and fairly evaluated. To improve your chances, prepare diligently and rely on the official resources provided on our website.”
Background
In May, the U.S. Department of State updated its global fee schedule for non-immigrant visas, a revision that also affects Nigerian applicants. The adjustment impacts almost all major visa categories, including business and tourism (B-1/B-2), student (F and M), exchange visitor (J), temporary worker (H), and investment-related visas (E-1 and E-2).
Under the revised structure, the fee for visitor visas still the most popular option for Nigerians travelling for business or tourism rose to $185. The same amount applies to transit (C-1), crew member (D), student (F and M), exchange visitor (J), media (I), trafficking victim (T), and crime victim (U) visas. Temporary worker visas such as H, L (intra-company transfer), O (extraordinary ability), P (athlete/artist), Q (cultural exchange), and R (religious worker) increased to $205.
Fiancé(e) visas (K) now cost $265, while treaty trader and investor visas (E-1/E-2) and the Australian specialty occupation visa (E-3) are set at $315.
Additional Requirements
Since July, most Nigerian citizens applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas have been limited to single-entry visas valid for three months, replacing the previous policy of longer or multiple entries.
Applicants in the F, M, and J categories are also required to make their social media profiles publicly visible and disclose all usernames or handles used within the past five years on their DS-160 applications. The State Department says this measure helps with national security screening, and failure to provide accurate information may affect eligibility.
