The United States Mission in Nigeria has reminded visa applicants that application fees are non-refundable, whether their applications are approved or rejected.
The mission gave the clarification in a post shared on its official social media account, @USinNigeria, on Wednesday, dismissing the belief that applicants are entitled to refunds when their visa applications are unsuccessful.
Addressing the issue, the mission explained that the fee covers the processing of an application and does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
“FACT: The fee paid is an application processing fee, not a payment for a visa to be issued,” the mission stated.
It added that the payment covers the cost of processing an application until a final decision is reached, regardless 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 Nigerians planning to travel to the United States that paying the required application fee does not guarantee visa approval.
The mission also advised prospective travellers to obtain accurate information about visa requirements and application procedures from official US government sources.
It warned applicants to be cautious of individuals and third-party consultants who promise guaranteed visas or claim that visa application payments can be refunded if an application is unsuccessful.
Visa applicants can consult the US Department of State’s official website for information on application procedures, fees and requirements.
Applicants should confirm the applicable requirements for their visa category before submitting an application or making any payment.
