*How To Apply For US ‘No-Interview’ Visa Renewals In Nigeria
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Idrinstitute.jpg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024.lidw_.jpg")
The US Mission has commenced expansion of its visa services to assist non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria who qualify to renew their visa.
It stated that this new application procedure will begin in February at the US Consulate in Lagos.
But it explained that the number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited at this first phase.
It however stated that the processing may take up to two months.
As part of our continuous commitment to expand and innovate consular services despite the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Mission Nigeria rolled out a limited pilot no-interview visa renewal program. pic.twitter.com/8eAE9O2Wo9
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) February 1, 2022
The US Mission further disclosed that the application procedure will also be extended to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja at a later time.
It said: “Applicants who meet the criteria may apply in Lagos until the service is extended to Abuja.
“Please note that only one member of the family unit is required to drop-off the application documents; children are not required to come drop-off in person.
“Processing may take up to two months. Although we anticipate most cases will be processed within a few weeks, once you submit your travel documents, we will be unable to return these to you until your case has been completed.”
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the embassy indefinitely suspended interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the ‘Dropbox’ process.
It insisted then that applicants in Nigeria seeking a non-immigrant visa to the US must apply online and would be required to appear in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.
In March 2021 when reports were rife that the suspension had been lifted, the embassy faulted the news, adding that the suspension stood.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
One may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L or C1/D (combined only) visa and you meet each of the following criteria:
· Your previous visa was issued in Nigeria.
· Your previous visa is in the same classification as your current application.
· Your previous visa was a full validity, multiple entry visa.
· Your previous visa expired within the last 24 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.
· You have all your passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
· You have never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon.
· You have never worked without authorisation or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.
APPLICATION STEPS:
· If you haven’t already paid the visa fee, you’ll need to pay online or in cash at a GTBank before scheduling to apply to renew your visa.
· If you are qualified based on the above criteria, visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to start your application.
· Login to the account using the information you used the last time you made a visa appointment or create a profile.
· Select Nonimmigrant Visa Application, New Application/Schedule Appointment, and Visa Renewal without Interview.
· Fill in your information and add any family members who are applying who also meet all the eligibility criteria. (Each applicant must individually meet the criteria; minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own.)
· Answer a series of questions to determine eligibility for the program.
· If eligible, schedule a date and time to submit your documents to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos (for February appointments) or the U.S. Embassy in Abuja (starting in March).
· Gather the required documents as outlined on the appointment letter and present them at your drop-off appointment time.
· Your passport will be returned by DHL with your visa, if your application is approved, or with a letter telling you the next steps to complete your application.
· Please see our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for further information and to monitor changes in processing times.
NIALS' Compendia Series: Your One-Stop Solution For Navigating Nigerian Laws (2004-2023)
Email: info@nials.edu.ng, tugomak@yahoo.co.uk, Contact: For Inquiry and information, kindly contact, NIALS Director of Marketing: +2348074128732, +2348100363602.
