US To Begin No-Interview Nigerian Students Visa Renewal

The United State Embassy and consulate in Nigeria is set to begin the renewal of no-interview visa for Nigerian students who wish to continue their academics in the US.

A statement issued on Thursday on the embassy's website reads: 

“If you are currently studying in the United States, you may be eligible to renew your student visa without an interview when you return to Nigeria this summer.

“To qualify for this procedure, you must be physically in Nigeria renewing a student visa that is still valid or has expired within the past 24 months and are renewing your visa either to: (a) continue participation in the same major course of study even if at a different institution; or (b) attend the same institution even if in a different major course of study.”

Interested students applying from Abuja are instructed to visit “www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow instructions to complete your application and visit a designated DHL facility to drop off your application.”

They are to attach “a printout of their Submission letter (printed from ustraveldocs.com/ng; a completed DS-160; an approved I-20; a receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee; a GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee; your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required); and a passport photograph meeting these requirements.” to the application.

 Lagos applicants were also instructed to “www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow the instructions to make an interview waiver appointment for a student visa. You must come in person to the U.S. Consulate on the date and time of your appointment.”

They were also asked to go the US consulate with  “a completed DS-160; an approved I-20; a receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee; a GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee; your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required); and a passport photograph meeting these requirements.”

According to the statement, students who do not meet the stated requirements are to schedule a regular appointment.

“Applicants who do not meet these criteria should visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ng to schedule a regular appointment.

“If someone in your family or group does not meet the qualifications above, they must schedule a regular appointment.  Each applicant must meet the qualifications individually.

"For instance, we cannot accept a renewal for a child because the parent qualifies under these guidelines. In that case, the child would need to schedule an appointment and come to the Embassy or Consulate for an interview.

“To remove a dependent that does not qualify for a student renewal from your profile, please follow these steps: Log in to the primary applicant’s profile; Click New Scheduling Appointment; Follow the steps until your reach Step 6; At step 6, check for the dependent’s information and click “x” to remove the dependent’s information from the primary applicants’ profile.

“Scheduled applicants who qualify for the student renewal based on the above criteria can cancel their appointments and re-apply on this link .

"During the rescheduling process, you will be asked questions confirming eligibility for the student renewal program and be provided instructions on how to submit the application through the document delivery centre.

"Scheduling instructions can be found on this link.

“If you do not qualify for a student renewal, please do not cancel your appointment,” the statement read in part.