The US Mission Nigeria says US visa application fees are non-refundable, regardless of approval or refusal, and warns applicants against visa scams

The United States Mission in Nigeria has reminded Nigerians that visa application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether an application is approved or refused.

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The mission issued the clarification in a post on its official social media account, @USinNigeria, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, while correcting the misconception that applicants are entitled to a refund after a visa refusal.

In the post, the mission described the belief that unsuccessful applicants receive their money back as a myth.

It explained that the fee paid by applicants covers the processing of their applications and does not constitute payment for a guaranteed visa.

“The fee paid is an application processing fee, not a payment for a visa to be issued,” the mission stated.

According to the mission, the application fee covers the cost of processing a request through a final decision, irrespective of the outcome.

It stressed that applicants cannot claim a refund simply because their visa requests have been rejected.

The clarification serves as a reminder to prospective travellers that paying the required fee does not guarantee approval. Applicants must still satisfy the relevant requirements for the visa category for which they are applying.

The US Mission also urged Nigerians seeking visas to obtain accurate information through official government channels, including the US Department of State’s website, travel.state.gov.

It cautioned applicants against third-party consultants and fraudulent schemes that promise guaranteed visas or refundable application deposits.

Prospective travellers are advised to rely on official US government websites ending in .gov when checking visa requirements, fees and application procedures.

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The mission’s warning highlights the importance of understanding visa conditions before making payments and being cautious of individuals or organisations claiming they can guarantee approval.