How To Apply For The United States DropBox Visa in Nigeria

Recall that the United States dropbox visa application was suspended for Nigerians in May 2019 as the consulate insisted that applicants in Nigeria seeking a non-immigrant visa to the US must apply online and would be required to appear in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.

The United States Consulate however recently lifted the suspension on dropbox visa applications in Nigeria, initiating an interview waiver for those renewing visas in the country. Here is a detailed article on how to apply for the United States dropbox visa in Nigeria

The United States Dropbox Visa Eligibility

It is important to note that United States Dropbox Visa is only available for those who have previously been issued a U.S. visa before and is only applying to renew their visas without attending an interview.

Even for those who have been previously issued a US visa, they are still certain criteria that must be met, before he or she is considered for an interview waiver.

The criteria:

• The dropbox service is only available to applicants renewing a B1/B2, C1/D, F, M or J, H and L visa.
• The applicant must possess a full-valid visa that expired within the past 24 months or will expire in the next three months.
• The applicant must be a citizen or resident of Nigeria.
• The applicant must not have been refused a visa since the issuance of the previous visa or had a visa revoked, or have ever required a waiver.
• The applicant possesses all issued passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.
• The applicant has never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offence in the United States, even if the applicant has later received a waiver or pardon.
• The applicant has never worked without authorization or remained beyond their permitted time in the United States.
• C1/D applicants must possess a letter from the employer outlining the scope, duration, and location of the anticipated work.
• H visa applicants apply must possess a valid I-797, and L1 blanket visa applicants an I-129.

How to apply  for the United States DropBox Visa.

The US embassy takes dropbox visas from applicants in Lagos and Abuja,  Applicants who qualify for an interview waiver in Lagos must visit this link: https://portal.ustraveldocs.com/?language=English&country=Nigeria to schedule an appointment to drop off documents at the US Consulate. Only applicants with scheduled appointments can drop off documents at the US Consulate.

OnlyF1/F2  Visa holders are allowed to apply from Abuja. They are to schedule an appointment to drop off documents via this link: https://portal.ustraveldocs.com/?language=English&country=Nigeria and visit a designated document delivery DHL facility and mail the following documents to Embassy Abuja:

1. A printout of their Submission letter (printed from https://ustraveldocs.com/ng/)
2. A completed DS-160
3. An approved I-20
4. A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
5. A GTB (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
6. Your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required)
7. A passport photograph meeting these requirements
8. Proof of continued full-time enrollment (such as transcripts, tuition payment, etc.)

it is important to note that the dropbox visa takes up to 8 weeks for the process to be completed.

Applicants who do not meet the dropbox visa criteria are advised to schedule regular appointments to ensure they receive the earliest visa appointment available to them. Applying for the interview waiver will only result in a significant delay in their application.