Visa: US lists Nigeria, Brazil, China as priority countries

The United States (US) has listed Nigeria, Brazil and China as priority nations on its visa application, following a surge in consular demands, Mrs Patty Neary, a consular officer, said on Wednesday.Neary told newsmen in Abuja, at the US Embassy weekly briefing, that more than 40,000 visa applications had so far been processed in Nigeria this year.She said the figure represented 11 per cent increase over the 2011 fiscal year, adding that 75 per cent of the applications were for tourist visas, while 25 per cent accounted for student, business and official visas.She said a majority of the applicants were gran-ted visas, while warning applicants against patronising touts.'You do not need to go through anybody to help you with visa application. By doing it personally, you will aid us to push away touts; you should make your own appointment and fill out the forms yourself.'You are responsible for everything in your application,' she said.According to her, aside the $160 payment for tourist visa, no extra money was charged.Neary advised applicants to plan ahead while preparing for a trip, in view of the six months wait time to process visa.She also urged students to apply 120 days before the beginning of their studies.'Our goal is that every qualified student visa applicant is able to begin his or her programme of study on time,' she said.
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