The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned Nigerians seeking American visas that application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether their applications are approved or rejected.
The mission issued the clarification on Wednesday through its official social media account, @USinNigeria, while debunking the widespread belief that applicants are entitled to refunds when their visa requests are unsuccessful.
In its message, the mission identified the claim that rejected visa applications attract refunds as a myth, stressing that the payment covers the processing of an application rather than the issuance of a visa.
“FACT: The fee paid is an application processing fee, not a payment for a visa to be issued,” the mission stated.
It explained that the fee covers the cost of processing an application up to the point of a final decision, irrespective of the outcome.
“It covers the cost of processing the application through a final decision, so the fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued or refused,” the statement added.
The clarification serves as a reminder to prospective travellers that paying the required application fee does not guarantee visa approval.
The mission also urged Nigerians seeking information about American visa procedures to consult the official website of the United States Department of State.
It warned visa applicants to be cautious of third-party consultants and fraudulent schemes promising guaranteed visas or refundable application deposits.
Applicants were advised to rely on official US government websites, particularly those ending in .gov, for accurate information about visa requirements and procedures.
The mission’s warning underscores the importance of understanding visa application rules before making payments and avoiding individuals or organisations making promises that are inconsistent with official US visa procedures.
