US Increases Business/Tourist Visa Validity to 5 Years for Nigerians

The United States government has announced an increase in the validity of tourist visas for visitors from certain countries, including Nigeria. The B1/B2 nonimmigrant visas, which were previously valid for two years, will now be valid for five years. The new policy provides more flexibility for a traveler, allowing them to visit the US more frequently without having to renew their visas as often.

In a statement on Monday, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said that “increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.”

It added that the Mission “continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria.”

The statement said that “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:”

• You are physically present in Nigeria.
• 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 48 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.
• You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.