US: Will Visa Processing Fee Now be Refunded to Nigerians? Embassy Opens Up
- The United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria maintained that visa application fees remain non-refundable
- In a post shared on its official X handle, the US Mission in Nigeria admitted growing concerns among applicants in the African nation over the visa fees
- The US Mission explained that the payment covers the administrative cost of processing applications, and not the issuance of visas
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 4 years of experience covering migration.
FCT, Abuja - The US Mission in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 16, acknowledged concerns from Nigerians regarding the United States (US) visa application fees.
Legit.ng reports that recent incidents involving Nigerians who were denied US visa after investing millions in the application and processing fees ignited a social media storm.
Source: Facebook
The incidents have seen Nigerians call for a refund policy for unsuccessful visa applicants, noting the huge amount of money usually invested only for the application to be rejected. Nigerians urged reforms and financial protections to cushion the financial impact of unsuccessful applications.
But reacting via a post on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, seen by Legit.ng, the US Mission in Nigeria insisted that across the world, "visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome."
It said:
"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."
Similarly, on its official website, the US government also reminded applicants to schedule their visa interviews in their home country or the country where they live permanently.
US visa updates
The US informed visa applicants that they are “to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.”
Source: Facebook
In the same vein, the US reiterated that under a Presidential Proclamation on national security, which took effect on June 9, 2025, visa issuance and entry into the US are suspended or restricted for nationals of certain countries identified as security risks.
Earlier in 2025, the US Department of State revised its global schedule of nonimmigrant visa application fees, a change that also applies to Nigerian applicants. Under the new schedule, visitor visas, which remain the most sought-after category for Nigerians travelling for business or tourism, now cost $185 (about N275,570). Temporary worker visas, such were adjusted upward to $205 (around N305,294).
Read more about US Embassy in Nigeria:
- US Embassy closure in Nigeria for Labour Day 2025 announced, date mentioned
- US Embassy lists how to properly use American visa, warns about misuse
‘Europeans 'japaing’ to Africa’ - Lecturer
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Dr Isa Olalekan Elegbede, a lecturer at the Department of Fisheries, Lagos State University (LASU), said while a lot of Africans are migrating overseas, “Europeans are coming in hordes to Africa”.
Elegbede urged Nigerians to “begin to have conversations around the economic opportunities in Africa”.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
