Shock, despair over US new visa policy for Nigerians

• TMCs issue directive to suspend visa payment

 Tough time has hit frequent travelers from Nigeria as United states Embassy  in the country has suspended indefinitely drop box policy for intending travelers.

The implication of this is that Nigerians whose Visa has expired would now go through fresh visa application, rather than the hitherto drop box which simplifies visa application for frequent travelers.

The policy, yesterday threw the entire travel/aviation industry into panic as many sought clarification on the policy development.

A visit by Woleshadarenews to Travel  management companies saw visa applicants to the United State besiege the places to find out what would be their fate considering the fact that fresh application could take several month before they are issued a new visa.

Before now, drop box applicants whose visa expired within one year of the last issuance are saved the stress of going through rigorous, torture visa applications.

Managing Director of a travel agency who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that she directed her workers to tell clients not to make payments to the US embassy for drop box until the situation was clarified.

She said she received over fifty calls in less than 30 minutes from her clients after the news broke on suspension of drop box application.

She disclosed that the message was circulated by National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), the umbrella body of Nigerian registered travel agents.

United States Mission to Nigeria some years ago  expanded DHL Drop Box Visa Renewal Program on June 9, 2014.  This program allows certain visa applicants who have previously been issued U.S. visas to renew their visas without attending an interview.

The United States in a statement said it has suspended interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the “Dropbox” process, in Nigeria indefinitely stressing that it would no longer accept visa applications by DHL in the country.

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday explaining that the suspension would take effect immediately at the close of business.

The mission, however, gave assurance that those who have already submitted their passports to DHL for processing via “Dropbox” at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos would not be affected while the processing of diplomatic and official (A, G, and NATO class) visa applications was not also affected.

The new procedure, according to the mission, is that non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria must apply online and appear in-person at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or U.S. Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.

It said it took the step to provide more efficient customer service and promote legitimate travel and will continue to facilitate applications of established travelers to the best of its ability.