The United States Embassy in Nigeria has resumed application of the Drop Box service or interview waiver in Nigeria.

Nigeria was removed from the waiver eligibility in 2018.

The Drop Box visa renewal programme allows certain visa applicants who have previously been issued US visas to renew their visas without attending an interview.

A recent announcement by the Embassy states that to qualify for the interview waiver, visa applicants must be applying to renew either a B1/B2, an F, an L, or an H visa.

“This new application procedure will begin in February at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos and will be extended shortly thereafter to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

“The number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited initially,” the mission said in a statement on Tuesday.

“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.”

How to apply for the no-interview visa renewal

You 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; and

· You have never worked without authorization 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.

What you should know

processing times for the program are expected to be up to two months and you will not be able to retrieve your passport during that time.

Each applicant must individually meet the criteria; minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own.

Emergency Appointments

If you have a life-or-death emergency, you may request an expedited, in-person interview, however, to accommodate No-Interview Visa Renewals, appointments will be very limited.

Business travel, conferences, weddings, and graduations are not considered emergencies. If you have an emergency and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng or +234-1-227-8955 to request an emergency appointment.

Special Note

Third parties unaffiliated with U.S. Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos may seek to take advantage of various visa services to target visa applicants with fraudulent offers or claims.

Applicants should fill out their own forms and make their appointments themselves via the official websites.

As future opportunities for Interview Waiver appointments become available, they will be communicated via the website.