The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that visa application fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of whether an application is approved or denied.
In a statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the Mission acknowledged the frustration of many Nigerians who lose substantial sums when their applications are unsuccessful.
“We hear your concerns regarding U.S. visa application fees. Like most countries, U.S. visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome. While fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly,” the Mission said.
It explained that visa fees are charged to cover administrative expenses tied to processing applications , including staff, security, and document verification , and not as a guarantee of visa approval.
The clarification comes amid growing public complaints on social media about the financial strain applicants face, especially when repeated denials result in forfeited payments.
The Mission advised Nigerians to carefully prepare their submissions, adhere to all requirements, and make use of free resources available on its official website to improve their chances of approval.
