Nigeria and United States: Requirements and procedures to obtain a US visitor's visa from the US Consulate in Abuja, including financial requirements and any special requirements for those travelling with dependents (2015-July 2019)
According to the website of the US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, the "Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja is responsible for providing visa services" for both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications (US n.d.a). The visa information website of the US Embassy in Nigeria states that in order to apply for a US non-immigrant visa in Nigeria, the applicant must pay the fee in US dollars and complete the online DS-160 application (US n.d.b). According to the website of the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, interviews for visa applications are "generally required," with the following exceptions:
| If you are age: |
Then an interview is: |
| 13 and younger |
Generally not required |
| 14-79 |
Required (some exceptions for renewals) |
| 80 and older |
Generally not required |
(US n.d.c)
In order to book a visa appointment online, the US Embassy in Nigeria's visa information website states that the following information must be provided for "each applicant being scheduled":
The applicant's passport number
The receipt number from [Guaranty Trust Bank, GTBank] receipt [1]. …
The ten (10) digit barcode number from the applicant's DS-160 confirmation page. (US n.d.b)
The website of the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs explains that
[a]dditional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:
- The purpose of your trip,
- Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
- Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.
Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.
Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa. (US n.d.c, emphasis in original)
The website of SRRB Tour Services, a travel company based in the Philippines (SRRB Tour Services n.d.a), states the following regarding proof of funds in order to obtain a US visa:
*NOTE: Additional Requirements:
PROOF OF FUNDS
- Photocopy, passbook with bank certification
- Photocopy, time deposit certificate[,] if any
- Photocopy, last 3 months bank statement
- Photocopy, last 3 months credit card statement. (SRRB Tour Services n.d.b)
Corroborating information on the documentation required as proof of funds could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Information on the specific amount of funds or assets that may be required to obtain a US visitor's visa from the US embassy in Abuja was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
A guide to completing the DS-160 online application provided on the website of US Department of State Consular Electronic Application Center, which features samples of the steps of the online application, includes a section on "Travel Companions Information" that begins by asking if "other persons [are] traveling with [the applicant]" (US 2017, 9). The source explains that the applicant should "answer [y]es to this question if [they] are traveling with family," among other possible travel companions (US 2017, 9). The application also includes a section on "Family Information: Relatives," defining "immediate relatives" as a "fiancé/fiancée, spouse (husband/wife), child (son/daughter), or sibling (brother/sister)" (US 2017, 13). The guide to completing the DS-160 online application is attached to this Response. Further information on specific requirements for travelling with dependents could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Note
[1] According to the US Embassy in Nigeria's visa information website, "[a]ll nonimmigrant visa applicant[s] must pay their visa application fee in cash at any [Guaranty Trust Bank, GTBank] branch" (US n.d.d).
References
SRRB Tour Services. N.d.a. "About Us." [Accessed 11 July 2019]
SRRB Tour Services. N.d.b. "U.S.A. Tourist Visa Application." [Accessed 10 July 2019]
United States (US). 2017. Department of State. "Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)." [Accessed 9 July 2019]
United States (US). N.d.a. US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. "Nonimmigrant Visas." [Accessed 9 July 2019]
United States (US). N.d.b. US Embassy in Nigeria. "Apply for a Visa." [Accessed 9 July 2019]
United States (US). N.d.c. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. "Visitor Visa." [Accessed 10 July 2019]
United States (US). N.d.d. US Embassy in Nigeria. "Bank and Payment Options/Pay My Visa Fee." [Accessed 18 July 2019]
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Jacksonville University – J-1 Student Visa & Arrival Information; Travelanders; Travelstart; UN – Refworld; VisaPlace News.
Attachment
United States (US). 2017. Department of State. "Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)." [Accessed 9 July 2019]