U.S. embassy receives 220,000 visa applications, approves 143,000

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos received more than 220,000 non-immigrant visa applications between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.
The Consular Chief of the embassy, Ms Stacie Hankins, disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen on the new visa procedures on Tuesday in Abuja.
Hankins said that the figure represented an increase of about 38,000 visa applications when compared with the 182,000 applications in the previous year.
Between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013, the embassy in Abuja and consulate in Lagos received more than 182,000 non-immigrant visa applications, the majority of which were approved.
Between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, we received more than 220,000 applications.
Again, the majority of those applications were approved.
“We hope that Nigerians’ desire to visit our beautiful country will continue to grow. And we look forward to working with our partners to allow qualified tourists and business travellers to do so,” she said.
According to her, the Consulate in Lagos received 15, 500 immigrant visa applications between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014, out of which 4, 900 applications were approved.
Hankins said that there had been increase in the visa application received by the embassy over the last five years.
She added that there was no limit to the visa application the embassy could receive and approve.
The consular official explained that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership remained strong.
According to her, the Bureau of Consular Affairs supports that partnership by facilitating “legitimate travel” to the U.S.
NAN reports that the new visa procedures require all potential non-immigrant visa applicants to include the correct confirmation number from their DS-160 online application form when making an interview appointment.
Hankins also announced the opening of the new DHL Document Collection Centre in Port Harcourt.
According to her, the embassy believes that the change will make application processing faster and more efficient.
Passport collection via the centre in Port Harcourt will take one additional day. Individuals whose visa applications are approved can expect their passports within four days.
“Drop box applicants can expect their passports within seven to 10 days,” she said.
NAN reports that the drop box allows certain visa applicants who have previously been issued U.S. visas to renew them without attending an interview.