By Shola Abayomi.
The US Embassy in Nigeria has reacted to the decision of the Nigerian government to reduce visa application fee for Americans seeking Nigerian visa.
The US Consulate, in a statement issued today, noted that its newly-upgraded fee schedule for Nigerians seeking US visa remains in place until it receives official confirmation that the visa application fee for Americans seeking Nigerian visa has been reduced.
The statement read: “The US Embassy looks forward to receiving official diplomatic communication regarding a new fee schedule for Americans seeking Nigerian visas.
“Until such time, and confirmation of implementation, the reciprocity fees for approved visas to the United States will remain in place.”
The US government, had on Wednesday announced that Nigerians seeking visa to the United States will pay more for their visa application fees, while stating that the increased cost was “reciprocating” the high visa fees being paid by US citizens seeking Nigerian visa.
In swift reaction, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, instructed the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, to immediately work out modalities to reduce Nigeria’s visa fees for Americans.
A statement by the Ministry of Interior, said: “A Committee was set up to conduct due diligence in line with the Ministry’s extant policy on reciprocity of Visa fees.
“The Committee had concluded its assignment and submitted a Report but the issuance of authorisation for its recommendations was delayed due to transition processes in the Ministry at the policy level.
“The Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has approved the decrease of Visa charges payable by US citizens in line with reciprocity policy as recommended by the Committee.”