The United States (US) decision to suspend the drop box system
of visa renewal for Nigerian regular travelers may not be
unconnected to the number of Nigerians who overstay their visit in
the U.S, it was learnt.
The United States (U.S.) Embassy in Nigeria on Wednesday
announced the indefinite suspension of the Dropbox visa application
process for Nigerians.
Diplomatic and government officials were however exempted from
the new visa regime, a statement from the embassy clarified.
The dropbox system has been open to frequent travellers, who are
excluded from the interview session. Also excluded are those who
had applied for renewal before the announcement of the
suspension.
Announcing the indefinite suspension of the Dropbox through a
press statement, the embassy stated the new regime became effective
from May 14, 2019.
Over 300,000 Nigerians apply for visa to travel to the United
States of America (USA) as non-immigrants annually. This figure
translate to over than N17.68 billion annually as the US consulate
charges $160 visa fee.
It is also gathered that Nigeria account for about one-third of
visa issued in the continent.
The rejection rate is said to be in the region of about forty
per cent.
Though the embassy stated that the decision to suspend the
Dropbox regime was meant to make services more efficient and
quicker, it was however gathered that the measure was meant to curb
the number of Nigerians coming into US.
Besides, Nigeria is listed along with Chad, Eritrea, Liberia,
Sierra Leone as countries with highest overstay rates.
According to an official, “for now, countries with the highest
overstay rates-which include Nigeria, Chad, Eritrea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone -are being put “on notice” ultimately, nationals from
countries with high overstay rates could be barred entirely.
However, there are fears that the latest decision may bring back
the era of touts who will be fleecing applicants.
Besides, the latest move may make procurement of US visa more
cumbersome as queues at the embassy will now increase, while the
waiting time will also increase.
A concerned traveler who does not want to be mentioned feared
that Nigerians may made to face tough times while waiting to
procure US visa.
The traveler noted that the return to the old order may also
bring back era of sleeping at the US embassy just to meet up time
scheduled for interview.
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