Amidst growing concerns on the rate of visa denials to many Nigerians in recent months, the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has stated that its officers do not derive joy in denying visa to applicants.
Of late, Nigerians have complained about the growing rate of visa denials, even after filling the forms properly and tendering authentic documents to back reason(s) for travel.
However, on Monday, the US Embassy tweeted on the trending subject in a apparent reaction to Nigerians’ condemnation.
The mission also announced that it would lecture citizens on how the process works on Wednesday.
The tweet reads: “@USEmbassyAbuja : Contrary to popular opinion, Consular Officers do not enjoy refusing anyone a visa. Proof: Join us on Facebook for demonstrations on how to complete the DS 160 correctly. April 17 | 2:00pm”.
Despite this, some Nigerians expressed their anger in a thread under the tweet.
While some shared their personal experience, others simply mocked the clarification.
Some reactions below:
@CNN80 : Discrimination?
@buezetit : @USEmbassyAbuja is after the visa application fee, not merit.
@Olubukolaa_ : Wrong account. US mission Ghana maybe.
@Opemiimaxine : Visa fee should be refundable at least 50% after rejection.
@Desmondkobi : Lol hahaha I hope this is some sort of joke right now. Lmao.
@infinitysam4eva : I disagree with your submission. It’s obvious your consular staff do not like to approve most Nigerians a US visa. I applied two years ago because I had paid for a sport seminar. Even with all the proof of my living, itinerary, I was denied a visa. That needs to change.
@ebony400 : Dear Sir/Ma, I successfully completed the DS160 form. Was invited by UN in New York. I have a good job (been working for 10years) and good travel history. The consular asked me if am married, I said No. He said I do not qualify for a Visa.
@degovnoor : US consular intentionally deny Nigerians Visa. And its going out of hand. Out of 100 Nigerians that apply they will only give 5-10…making others to lose their precious 65k.
@ascalamunda : After using our visa fee to drink coffee, the next action is to be dishing out blue paper with passion. U see smiles on their faces. Just a question & that’s why u don’t state reasons for visa denial. Instead, u keep referring someone to the blue generic paper u gladly dish out.
@OsasMacaulay : Not every Nigerian have the intent of not returning home. The consular should consider this and give those with Genuine intent a chance. Not having travel history for the past 10yrs is potent evidence of strong ties to one’s country because not everybody likes to travel!!
Meanwhile, the US Department of State, on its website, explains why a request may be unsuccessful.
On the ‘Visa Denial’ section, check shows the position of the US Bureau of Consular Affairs on visa applications.
It reads: “An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa, because the applicant does not qualify for the visa category for which he or she applied, or because the information reviewed indicates the applicant falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law.
“An applicant’s current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa.”