The US Embassy in Abuja has denied blocking appointment dates for visa interview of Nigerians seeking to travel to their country.
The embassy’s Public Affairs Department told newsmen on Wednesday that reports of the embassy blocking appointment dates for Nigerians awaiting visa interview were false.
Reports had said on August 20 that Nigerians who had applied for US visa could not get appointment dates for an interview despite payment of visa fees.
According to the reports, after payment, once an applicant attempts to make an interview appointment, the applicant is informed through the US Embassy’s consultant website CGI INC that there are no available dates for visa appointments.
“There has been no block on visa interviews. There are interview appointment opportunities available,” the embassy said.
The US embassy had announced on Tuesday that it had increased fees for Nigerians applying for tourism, student and business visas.
It said that effective from August 29 Nigerians applying for the aforementioned visas which used to cost N59, 200, would do so with an extra $110 (N40, 700) bringing the total amount to N99, 900.According to the statement the embassy issued, applicants who are denied visas would not need to pay the extra N40, 700.
