Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday disclosed that the United States has removed all visa reciprocity fees for Nigerians seeking visas to the US with effect from December 3.
Ferdinand Nwonye, the foreign ministry spokesman, in a statement, said the move was sequel to the removal of excess visa application, processing and biometric fees for American citizens applying for Nigerian visas.
The statement was titled, ‘Update on the removal of visa fees for Nigerian citizens by the US Government,’ advised prospective travellers to the US to visit www.travel.state.gov for details.”
Nwonye said, “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 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 United States had imposed reciprocity fee for all approved non-immigrant visa applications by Nigerians in 2019. The fee was charged in addition to visa application fees for only applicants who are issued visas.
The additional reciprocity fees which ranged from $80 to $303 depending on the class of visa, took effect from August 29 last year.
The US Embassy in Nigeria said the reciprocity fees were in response to unsuccessful talks with Nigeria to adjust the fees it charges American applicants.
It argued that the total cost for a US citizen to obtain a visa to Nigeria was higher than the total cost for a Nigerian to obtain a comparable visa to the United States.
The Mission insisted that the reciprocity fee was meant to eliminate the cost difference as required by US laws.