Ime Akpan
All applicants except diplomats, government officials to appear for interview
The American Embassy in Nigeria has stopped interview waivers for Nigerians travelling to that country and directed all applicants including frequent travelers to appear in person for interviews each time they apply.
The embassy said in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that all applicants including frequent travellers, who used to use the drop box method, would no longer enjoy such privilege.
However, the embassy exempted diplomatic and government officials from the new visa policy.
The statement reads: “Effective at the close of business today, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the US Mission to Nigeria is indefinitely suspending interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the ‘Drop box’ process.
“Visa applications will no longer be accepted by DHL in Nigeria. Those who have already submitted their passports via drop box to DHL for processing either at the US Embassy in Abuja, or the Consulate General in Lagos, will not be impacted by this change.
“All applicants in Nigeria seeking a non-immigrant visa to the United States must apply online, and will be required to appear in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.
“Applicants must appear at the location they specified when applying for the visa renewal.
“Processing of diplomatic and official (A, G, and NATO class) visa applications will continue unchanged.”
The interview waiver programme, also called the visa interview waiver program, is a program managed by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs under which, under some circumstances, interview requirements can be waived for some non-immigrant visa applicants.
With the suspension, Nigerians attempting to renew their visas must now attend visa interviews like first timers.
The embassy explained that it was taking the step to provide more efficient customer service and promote legitimate travel.
However, it said it would continue to facilitate applications of established travellers to the best of its ability.
