Are you planning to visit the USA from Nigeria and looking for how to pay your visa fee? If you are unsure or perplexed about how to pay your fee without going through the traditional payment method, you are not alone. Many people have expressed their fears about making a payment for a US visa.
However, I will help to make the process less stressful. This short guide focuses on how to pay your US visa fee from Nigeria in a few minutes.
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How do I make a US Visa Fee Payment in Nigeria?
All visa applicants must pay a non-refundable and non-transferable visa application fee before applying for a US visa. This visa fee, otherwise called the MRV fee, must be paid whether you are finally issued the visa. The fee you pay depends on the type of visa you applied for.
In addition, you can choose from two US visa fee payment methods. They include cash at bank or online payment.
Cash at Bank
You must pay your non-immigrant visa application fee at any GTBank branch if you don’t have a GTBank account. Write your fee payment amount and phone number on the collection slip provided by the bank. After processing the fee, the bank will generate a payment receipt as proof of your payment.
Noted that you must show your passport to the bank officer before they will accept your fee payment.
Online payment
This is for those with a GTBank account. You can pay your US visa fee using GTbank’s online payment services. After creating your online profile, a code will be generated for you, which you must accurately type into the online form when making your payment. With the code, you can schedule your US visa interview. Ensure not to lose the fee receipt because you will need it later.
How do I Schedule my US Visa Interview?
Scheduling a US visa interview can take place within a couple of hours of paying the visa application fee. Two ways to do so include online and call centers.
When scheduling the interview, you will need the payment code generated during your online profile creation through GTBank. Your passport number will be requested during the process.
Whether scheduling a USA visa interview appointment online or through the visa call center, you will provide the codes and passport number.
In addition, you can schedule the interview after 3 pm on the first banking day after the date you made the US visa fee payment.
Don’t forget that your visa application fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable and is only valid for one year from the day of payment.
What are the Visa Types and Their Application Fees?
The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is $185, including tourist, student, business, and exchange visas. Petition-based (religious and work) visa fee is $190, while K and E visa amounts are $265 and $205, respectively.
I will explain further using the table below.
| Categories | Fee Amount ($) | New Amount (₦) | |
| B | Business/Tourist | 185 | 157,250 |
| C-1 | Transit | 185 | 157,250 |
| D | Ship/Airline Crew | 185 | 157,250 |
| F | Student (Academic) | 185 | 157,250 |
| I | Journalist and Media | 185 | 157,250 |
| J | Exchange Visitors | 185 | 157,250 |
| M | Student (Vocational) | 185 | 157,250 |
| T | Victim of Human Trafficking | 185 | 157,250 |
| TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals | 185 | 157,250 |
| U | Victim of Criminal Activity | 185 | 157,250 |
| H | Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment Trainees | 205 | 174,250 |
| L | Intra Company Transferees | 205 | 174,250 |
| O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability | 205 | 174,250 |
| P | Athletes Artists & Entertainers | 205 | 174,250 |
| Q | International Cultural Exchange | 205 | 174,250 |
| R | Religious Worker | 205 | 174,250 |
| E | Treaty Trader/Investor Australian Professional Specialty | 315 | 267,750 |
| K | Fiancé(e) or Spouse of US Citizen | 265 | 225,250 |
In addition, below are the visa types and conditions with no fee required:
- Applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas (as defined in 22 CFR 41.26)
- Applicants holding J visas and participating in certain official U.S. Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges.
- Applicants traveling to provide certain charitable services
- US Government employees traveling on official business
- A parent, sibling, spouse, or child of a US Government employee killed in the line of duty, traveling to attend the employee’s funeral, or that of a US Government employee seriously injured in the line of duty for visitation during emergency treatment and recovery
- Applicants exempted by international agreement, including members and staff of an observer mission to United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly and their immediate families
- Replacement of a machine-readable visa when the original visa was not properly affixed or the visa needs to be reissued through no fault of the applicant
Note the following for nonimmigrant visa applicants:
If you are a traveler with special or urgent needs, the embassy or consular general will prioritize your visa application. You must follow the instructions on the USA Embassy website or contact them directly for any emergency appointment.
How soon can I get a US visa appointment in Nigeria?
Generally, it takes 54 days to get an appointment for a USA F1 student visa. To check the available us visa appointment dates in Lagos or Abuja, you can visit the official website of the US Embassy in Nigeria. They have an online appointment system where you can select the type of visa you are applying for and check for available dates.
| Nonimmigrant Visa Type | Appointment Wait Time |
| Interview Required Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) | 54 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) | 22 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | 420 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2) | 420 Calendar Days |
| Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) | 1 Calendar Day |
| Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) | 1 Calendar Day |
| Interview Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | 6 Calendar Days |
| Interview Waiver Visitors (B1/B2) | 6 Calendar Days |
Please Note: The estimated wait time to get a nonimmigrant USA visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate varies. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.
Contact information of the US Embassy/Consular in Nigeria
Abuja Embassy
Business Hours: Monday through Thursday from 07:30 am to 4:30 pm and
Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm
Plot 1075, Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District, Abuja
Tel: +234 1 227 8955
E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov
Lagos Consular
Business Hours:
Monday – Thursday 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.
US Consulate General Lagos Office
2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel.: +234 1 227 8955
Wrapping Up
Making a US visa fee payment takes less time than some think. You must meet their conditions before paying to avoid fee forfeiture, which could be painful. You can contact the embassy or consular general in Abuja or Lagos for further information.
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