US govt lifts suspension on ‘drop box’ visa applications in Nigeria
The United States Embassy in Nigeria on Monday, lifted the restriction on drop box service or interview waiver for those who want to renew their visas.
The interview waiver was suspended in May 2019.
But according to checks on Monday, the suspension on the interview waiver has been lifted.
Applicants must, however, be applying to renew a visa in the same classification as their prior non-immigrant visa.
“Right now, this service is only available to applicants renewing a B1/B2, C1/D, F, M or J, H and L visa. Applicants must satisfy all the following criteria for their visa class. If applying as a group or family, all members must fulfill all criteria to qualify for interview waiver,” the embassy said.
“For B1/B2 or C1/D visa holders: the applicant must possess a full-validity B1/B2 or C1/D visa that expired within the past 24 months or will expire in the next three months.
“The applicant must be a citizen or resident of Nigeria. The applicant must not have been refused a visa since the issuance of the previous visa, or had a visa revoked, or have ever required a waiver.
“The applicant possesses all issued passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
“The applicant has never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if the applicant has later received a waiver or pardon.
“The applicant has never worked without authorization or remained beyond their permitted time in the United States. C1/D applicants must possess a letter from the employer outlining the scope, duration, and location of the anticipated work.”
The same criteria also apply to Lagos F or M visa holders and Abuja applicants with F1/F2 visas, while for J visa holders, the embassy said the visa must be for academic purposes.