Current students in the United States on an F1 or academic J1 visa may be eligible to renew their student visas without having to go through an interview when they return to Nigeria over the holiday.
According to a statement released by the embassy on Wednesday, a student must be physically present in Nigeria when renewing a student visa that is currently valid or that has expired within the previous 24 months in order to be eligible for this process.
It stated that continuing participation in the same major course of study at a different institution or attending the same institution while enrolled in a different major course of study should be the criteria for renewal.
The embassy noted that by arranging a no-interview appointment for student visa renewal, students could drop off their passports at a DHL location in Lagos on a date and time scheduled using the consulate’s online booking system.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is committed to returning your passport to you within two weeks from your appointment date and will prioritise any required follow-up interviews.
“To schedule a no-interview student visa renewal appointment, go to www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow the instructions.
The mission instructed the students to attend a selected DHL facility on the day and time of their appointments to send in their application together with a printout of the submission letter (printed from www.ustraveldocs.com/ng).
Also required were a DS-160 finished within the previous six months, an authorized I-20, a receipt for their I-901 SEVIS fee, the passport bearing the student’s expired student visa, and a passport photo taken within the previous six months.
Additionally, the mission advised candidates who do not satisfy the aforementioned requirements to visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and make a normal appointment, stressing that each applicant must complete the requirements on their own.
“For instance, we cannot accept a renewal for a child if the parent is the only one who qualifies under the guidelines. In that case, the child would need to schedule an appointment and come to the Embassy or Consulate for an interview.
“During the rescheduling process, you will be asked questions confirming eligibility for the student renewal program and be provided instructions on how to apply to the document delivery centre,” the mission said