US reconsiders Nigerians whose visa applications were affected by Trump’s travel restrictions.
The United States on Tuesday said that it was reconsidering Nigerians who applied for immigrant visa, but were affected by the travel restrictions under former President Donald Trump in 2020.
Last year, Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983 signed by Trump imposed travel restrictions on some countries, including Nigeria.
But President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, reversed the restriction through a new proclamation few hours after he was sworn in.
In a statement titled, ‘United States Mission in Nigeria prioritizes immigrant visa applicants refused under Presidential Proclamation 9983,’ the US through its mission in Nigeria said its Consulate-General in Lagos had contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected by the restriction and was prioritizing the processing of their applications.
“On January 20, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation titled, ‘Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States,’ the statement read in part.
“This ended the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983 that had suspended entry into the United States of certain nationals, based on visa type, from various countries to include Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, this proclamation banned entry for certain immigrant visa categories. The US Consulate -General in Lagos has already contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected and is prioritizing the processing of these pending cases.”
The statement said the reconsideration did not apply to tourist, business, student, or other nonimmigrant visas.
US also said the nonimmigrant visa payments (known as the MRV fee)validity has been extended till September 30, 2022, for those who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of consular operations.
“Non-immigrant visa applicants who were previously refused and would like to apply again will need to submit a new visa application (DS-160) and pay a new visa application processing fee,” the mission stated.
Routine visa operations in accordance with COVID-19 safety mitigation protocols are being gradually restored by the consular sections in Abuja and Lagos, the sttaement said.
