U.S. Embassy Nigeria Announces New Procedure For Drop Box Renewals

SAN FRANCISCO, December 18, 2013, (THEWILL) - Nigerian citizens who have previously visited the United States can now heave a sigh of relief as the U.S. Embassy Abuja Wednesday announced a streamlined, more convenient drop box renewal process for non-immigrant visas. A statement emailed to THEWILL from the embassy said applicants who had previously been issued a B1/B2 visa, who meet the following requirements may be eligible to renew their non-immigrant visa without being interviewed by a consular officer at the Embassy in Abuja or visiting the Consulate General in Lagos. Instead they can renew by using the Drop Box Renewal program. The embassy on its website listed the eligibility requirements as follows:   The applicant is a Nigerian passport holder;   The applicant's last visa interview resulted in an issuance; The applicant is applying for a B1/B2 visa, and that is the same classification as the previous U.S. visa issued in Abuja or Lagos;   No more than 12 months have passed since the applicant's previous U.S. non-immigrant visa expired;    The applicant was at least 14 years old at the time of last issuance or will be under the age of 14 at the time of re-issuance; and    The applicant has never been arrested or had an encounter with law enforcement, customs, or immigration officials in the United States. The embassy further noted that 'If applying as a group or family, all members must fulfill each criteria to use the program. If you meet the above eligibility requirements, you may apply for a renewal of your U.S. non-immigrant visa using the Drop Box Renewal process. 'In addition, if you are over 80 years old, you are eligible to use this service.' Part of the statement reads: 'Applicants now simply apply online, print the renewal letter, pay the fee, and drop the letter, passport, application confirmation sheet, passport photos, and visa fee receipt at the appropriate DHL facility in Abuja or Lagos. 'I am delighted to announce this next step in providing superior customer service to our returning visitors to the United States,' said Ambassador James F. Entwistle. 'We have now rolled out this procedure in Abuja and Lagos, and we hope it underscores our commitment to facilitating legitimate travel for Nigerians who wish to make a return visit to the United States.' 'Drop box renewal application packets will be adjudicated and returned to the DHL location within 7-10 business days.  Please note that participation in this program does not guarantee visa issuance.  Additionally, we may request applicants attend a visa interview in certain cases.'