By Abiola Olawale
The United States Embassy on Friday, said the indefinite suspension of the non-immigrant visa interview waiver process, popularly referred to as ‘drop box’ is still in force and has not yet been lifted in Nigeria.
Reports making the rounds had suggested that the US government had lifted the order placed on interview waivers. However the US embassy has debunked the reports, stating that all applicants in Nigeria who wish to apply for a non-immigrant visa must all appear for an interview.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the US mission in Nigeria, titled, ‘Drop Box Visa Processing Is Not Available in Nigeria, According To U.S. Mission To Nigeria’ on Friday.
The statement also noted that the US State Department will continue to evaluate each country’s eligibility based on numerous factors such as overstaying rates and visa-related fraud.
The statement reads, “Despite recent media reports, the non-immigrant visa interview waiver process, popularly known as the “drop box,” has been discontinued in Nigeria since 2018. The State Department continually evaluates each country’s eligibility based on numerous factors including overstay rates and visa-related fraud. U.S. Mission Nigeria is committed to promoting legitimate travel to the United States. All applicants who wish to apply for a visa must kindly appear for an interview.’’
It would be recalled that the US mission in Nigeria, had on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, announced the indefinite suspension of ‘drop box’ process for visa renewals in all its consulates in Nigeria.
The New Diplomat understands that ‘Drop box’, also known as interview waiver, allows applicants who met certain eligibility criteria to renew their visas by submitting their passports and supporting documents for review without going through a new in-persons interview each time.
However, during President Donald Trump’s adminstration, the US mission suspended the interview waiver which was part of the visa restrictions imposed on many countries during the administration.
Additionally, the ban might not be unconnected to reports of Nigerians overstaying in the US when on a visit.
In 2018, prior to the suspension of the interview waiver, the US department of Homeland Security reported that Nigeria recorded a total number of 21, 917 citizens who stayed in US beyond the stipulated time on their visa. According to the report, Nigeria accounted for the third highest number of US Visa overstays during the year under review.
