Travellers wey US visa appointments don disrupt by ongoing scheduling pause no go collect their money back, according to guidance from US government. Officials confirmed say refunds no dey available for affected appointments. Instead, once dem lift di pause, scheduling system go reopen and applicants wey appointments cancel or disrupt go dey rebook automatically. Those applicants go receive notification when dem don arrange new appointment.
For nonimmigrant visa applicants, application fee still valid for 365 days from date wey payment receipt issue. Dat mean applicants get up to one year from dat date to schedule interview appointment. But di 365-day window concern scheduling of appointment, not when interview must happen. Interview fit still go ahead after 365-day period pass, as long as dem book di appointment before deadline expire. Dis distinction important for applicants wey pause catch, because delay no dey their control. As long as dem fit schedule within valid window once pause end, dem remain eligible to continue visa process.
Applicants advised to keep their payment receipts and monitor official US embassy or consulate communications for updates on when scheduling go resume. No action required in di interim, as rescheduling process go dey handled by relevant authorities once normal operations restart. Guidance make clear say pause na temporary and applicants no go lose their fees because of disruption, provided dem take up rescheduled appointment when dem offer am. Legit.ng earlier report say US government announce major shift for visa policy, fully suspend visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries and impose partial restrictions on 19 others, bringing total affected countries to 39.
Meanwhile, US Mission in Nigeria clarify say visa application fees no dey refundable, whether dem grant or refuse visa. Di mission state dis for post on official X account, @USinNigeria, on Wednesday, to correct misconception say applicants get entitlement to refunds when visa applications no succeed. Dem explain say fee cover cost of processing application and no guarantee say visa go issue. Post read: ‘MYTH: If a U.S. visa application is refused, the applicant receives a refund. FACT: The fee paid is an application processing fee, not a payment for a visa to be issued.’
Di mission explain say fee cover processing of application until final decision and therefore non-refundable, no matter outcome. Vanguard check of official website of US Department of State, travel.state.gov, show say department also state say visa application fees non-refundable because dem cover cost of processing applications to final decision. Department further state say applicants whose visas refused under Section 214(b) of US Immigration and Nationality Act must pay new application fee if dem decide to reapply. Review of department visa fee schedule show say application processing fee for several non-immigrant visa categories, including business and tourism visas, na $185. Fee vary according to visa category, with some categories attracting higher charges.
Department also explain say applicants wey dem find ineligible for visa fit reapply but generally required to submit new application and pay applicable fee again, subject to specific exceptions. Di mission urge prospective travellers to obtain accurate information about US visa procedures through official website of US Department of State. Dem also warn applicants against third-party consultants and fraudulent schemes wey dey promise guaranteed visas or refundable application deposits. Mission advise visa seekers to rely on official US government websites ending in .gov when dem dey seek visa information or apply for visas.
