Nigeria Exempts American Citizens From Paying Biometrics and Transaction Fees for Visa on Arrival

Great news!

Barely a month after the Nigerian Government introduced the $90 mandatory biometrics fee for Nigerian visa on arrival, which was automatically billed with the $160 visa fee plus another $20 transaction fee (service charge), the Nigerian authorities have now exempted the citizens of United States of America from the policy.

The $20 transaction fee (service charge) has also been removed for US passport holders.

What Does this Mean for US Citizens Applying for Nigerian Visa on Arrival

This exemption means citizens of the United States of America (US passport holders) will now pay $110 less for Nigeria visa on arrival.

US citizens will no longer be required to pay the $90 biometric fee and $20 transaction fee. The only fee still payable is the actual visa fee of $160 making the total official visa fee for US citizens to $160 only.

The government had in January reintroduced the $90 biometrics charge for all foreigners traveling into Nigeria.

This was first introduced in 2018 but after much controversies, it was suspended. However, it was again reintroduced in January, 2020.

A source confided in our correspondent on Tuesday that the US Government threatened to stop issuance of entry visas to Nigerians if the policy was not immediately reversed for its citizens.

The US had only recently suspended immigrant travel visa on Nigerians.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, it was observed that citizens of the United States were only issued visas on arrival by officials of immigration, while those with prior visas were allowed into the country by the service.

The same was the case at the Lagos airport where US citizens were given free passage.

The source said, “I can confirm to you that the Nigeria Immigration Service has stopped the collection of biometrics and service charges from citizens of the US.

“As I am talking to you now, US citizens are entering the country without collection of the charges.”

There is however, concerns that while government may have dropped the policy for US citizens, nationals of other countries were still being charged the fee before allowed into Nigeria.