U.S Ends Visa Reciprocity Fees for Nigerians Seeking Visa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that the United States has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerians seeking visas to the US.
This was disclosed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye in a statement on Saturday that the development was the sequel to the removal of excess visa application, processing, and biometric fees for American citizens applying for Nigerian visas.
The Donald Trump government did announce visa reciprocity fees against some countries, including Nigeria, charging Americans high visa fees.
The US embassy had earlier claimed that the reciprocity fee, ranging from $80 to $303 and only to be paid for approved visas, we’re introduced to “eliminate that cost difference” between visa application fees for both countries.
The embassy had explained then that the move was in line with a Trump executive order in 2017 for the US Secretary of State to, among other things, adjust fee schedules “to match the treatment of United States nationals” by other countries.
The US Embassy in Nigeria said the reciprocity fees were in response to unsuccessful talks with Nigeria to adjust the fees it charges American applicants.
It argued that the total cost for a US citizen to obtain a visa to Nigeria was higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the United States.
The statement revealed by Nwonye reads thus: “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 added that: “Prospective Nigerian travelers to the United States are hereby advised to visit: www.travel.state.gov for details.”
Following the outcry by Nigerians, the federal government responded a few days later by reducing visa fees for Americans traveling to Nigeria from $180 to $150 in response to the US embassy’s introduction of a “reciprocity fee” for Nigerians.
The Nigerian government had explained after it responded to the announcement of reciprocity fees by the US Embassy that the decision to lower visa fees for American applicants was taken months earlier but was not implemented given the transition in government.
The US Embassy did not however immediately reverse its decision but had been in talks with Nigerian authorities for several months to align the visa fees.
