The United States has removed the reciprocity fee imposed on visa applications from Nigeria. In a statement on Friday, the ministry of foreign affairs said the reciprocity fee will no longer be effected from December 3, 2020.
‘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 statement signed by Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesman of the ministry read.’
‘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 fee was imposed in August 2019 for applicants whose non-immigrant visa applications are granted.
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At the time, the US Consulate said it was ‘reciprocating’ the extra visa fee the Nigerian government charges American citizens.
‘The reciprocity fee will be charged in addition to the non-immigrant visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, which all applicants pay at the time of application,’
‘Nigerian citizens whose applications for a non-immigrant visa are denied will not be charged the new reciprocity fee. Both reciprocity and MRV fees are non-refundable, and their amounts vary based on visa classification,’ US Embassy said.
The US embassy, however, said it took the decision in accordance with Section 281 of its Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and following almost two years of failed negotiations with the Nigerian government, through the Foreign Affairs and Interior ministries. The consulate had said while America charged Nigerians $160 for visa application, its citizens seeking Nigerian visa were paying $110 extra.
It noted that until Nigeria government requests for the reduction in visa fee, ‘the reciprocity fees for approved visas to the United States will remain in place.’
Hours after the hike in the visa application fee, the Nigerian government yielded to the US demands and reduced its visa application fee.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
