All visa reciprocity fees for Nigerians seeking visas to the US has been removed by the United States with effect from 3rd December, 2020, the Federal Government has said.
Well, this was made known by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, 5th December, stating that the development was in respect to the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for American citizens applying for Nigerian visas.
It could be recalled that in 2019, the Donald Trump led-govt had imposed the reciprocity fee for all approved non-immigrant visa applications by Nigerians.
The reciprocity fees was charged in addition to visa application fees for only applicants who are issued visas.
The additional reciprocity fees which ranged from $80 - $303 depending on the class of visa, took effect from August 29 2019.
The reason the United States Embassy in Nigeria gave out this, was that the reciprocity fees were in response to unsuccessful discussion with Nigeria to adjust the fees it charges American applicants.
It argued that the total cost for a United States citizen to obtain a Nigeria visa was higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the US.
The Mission insisted that the reciprocity fee was meant to eliminate the cost difference as required by United States laws.
Announcing the removal of the reciprocity fee in a statement, Ferdinand Nwonye, the MFA spokesman said,
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the United States Government has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens seeking visas to the United States.
“The positive development is in line with the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for United States citizens applying for Nigerian visas by the Nigerian
Government.
“The United States Government has, therefore, eliminated reciprocity fees for Nigerian citizens with effect from December 3, 2020.”
The statement titled, ‘Update on removal of visa fees for Nigerian citizens by the US Government,’ advised prospective travellers to the US to visit www.travel.state.gov for details.”
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