Tag Archives: How to renew tourist visa by mail

The United States extends tourist (visitor) visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for individuals (Nigerians) who want to enter the U.S temporarily for business and/or tourism. The new policy starts Wednesday, March 1, 2023, according to the statement by the U.S Consulate General.

According to Punchng, early this year, 2023, the Federal Government directed the implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the U.S with effect from March 1, 2023, following an approval for the kickstart of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the U.S and Nigeria

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the two countries also include the reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for American citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015; extension of visa validity to three years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of both countries.

According to the statement by the U.S Consulate, the visa application fee, currently at $160, would not increase as a result of the increased visa validity, the cost of the visa fee still remains the same.

United States extends Tourist Visa validity to 5 years

The statement reads, “Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.

“The visa validity extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa. The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity.

The consulate also noted that increasing visa validity was one of several initiatives taken by the U.S to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria.

They also said they will continue to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria adding that appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available.

However, the embassy reiterated that Nigerians “may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only) visa.

“Additionally, the person must be physically present in Nigeria, previous visa was issued in Nigeria, the previous visa is in the same classification as the current application, the previous visa was a full-validity, multiple-entry visa.”

The embassy in listing criteria for applying for visa renewal stated that the previous visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application. The applicant must have all the passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.

Also, the person must “never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon. You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.”

The embassy informed applicants that the processing times for the programme are expected to be up to two months and applicants will not be able to retrieve their passports during that time.

Minors can apply without an interview only if they meet the eligibility criteria on their own, the statement added.

Source: Punchng and ng.usembassy.gov

Tourist visa is a visa that allows you to visit a country for a short time on holiday. If you have a valid U.S tourist visa or one that expired within the last four years, you may be able to renew it by mail.

Tourism is an integral part of economic development across the world. However, most people traveling to foreign countries need to apply for a tourist visa.

What Is a Tourist Visa?

Tourist visas are official travel documents issued to foreign visitors for leisure purposes. For example, if you are from Ghana and want to visit the U.S, you need to apply for a tourist visa. Every country regulates its visa policy for tourists, and their corresponding embassies and consulates will help you obtain a visa for short-term visits.

B2 visitor visa can also be referred to as Tourist visa. B-2 visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons traveling to United States temporarily for tourism, pleasure or visiting.

A foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2) unless qualifying for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Tourism is a short visit for vacation, for visiting family and friends, or for medical treatment.

How to renew tourist visa by mail

According to U.S Embassy Ghana verified twitter account:

“More good visa news! If you have a valid tourist visa or one that expired within the last four years, you may be able to renew it by mail. That takes less than a month. To see if you qualify, visit: https://bit.ly/InterviewWaiver”

The above information was published at the U.S Embassy Ghana verified twitter account on October 28, 2022.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Accra is responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

Eventually immigrant visa applicants can share in this exciting visa updates. Until then fingers crossed.

Tourist Visa Guidelines

While you are visiting a foreign country under a tourist visa, you must keep in mind the following rules:

• You cannot work with a tourist visa.
• You cannot do business under a tourist visa.
• You cannot study while you have a tourist visa.
• You cannot become a permanent resident with a tourist visa.

How to Apply for a Tourist Visa?

To apply for a tourist visa, you need to follow these steps:

• Locate an embassy/consulate in your country of residence.
• Assemble the documents required.
• Pay the required tourist visa fee to the embassy/consulate.
• Attend the visa interview.

Some embassies require you to pay the fee before attending the visa interview, while others may ask to pay the same day. Don’t pay money or make any payment to any person, unless the embassy/consulate.

Is it possible to renew a tourist visa?

You must renew your visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents may renew them in the United States.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.