Nigerians planning to travel to the US have just been hit once again.
Just a few days after Washington announced stricter visa entry rules for Nigerians, the US government has imposed a new Visa Integrity Fee of $250, targeting most of the non-immigrant visa categories — from visitors and students to professionals.
The surcharge, which will go into effect in fiscal year 2025, will be imposed on top of the standard visa application fee. For Nigerian applicants seeking the highly sought-after B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa, that translates to paying a total of about $435 (N686,000), nearly doubling the current $185 (N292,000) fee.
Affected classes of visa include F and M (students), H-1B (professional workers), and J (exchange visitors). Diplomatic and international organization visas (A and G categories) are not affected individually.
More Fire for Nigerians
Even though the charge is broad-based, its timing has not gone unnoticed in Nigeria, where applicants were still shaken some days ago by reports of stricter travel regulations announced by the United States — an action to which there was quick reaction and even a personal message from President Tinubu to the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Why the Fee?
The U.S. refers to the new charge as an incentive for compliance to dissuade visa overstay and to incentivize compliant visitors. Those who depart the U.S. within five days of visa expiration may be in the running for a refund — but it’s not automatic and not assured.
Refunds won’t be issued until the visa has expired, and only in the event the person is able to demonstrate complete compliance with visa rules. To fall short means, the funds flow directly into the general treasury of the U.S.
Starting in 2026, the $250 fee will also be inflated each year, and could increase the cost even more.
Growing Concern
Nigeria is among the highest on the U.S. visa request list in Africa. Students, workers, tourists, and entrepreneurs now encounter a growing harder and costly entrance into the nation.
The trend has raised alarm bells among education representatives, travel trade professionals, and human rights groups, which argue the growing restriction of terms disproportionately affects nations in the Global South.
Prospective travelers are being encouraged for now to plan ahead, budget more, and most of all, cooperate fully — because one misstep might mean losing your $250.
