Rita Odafe
Recently, a Nigerian woman’s experience of being denied a U.S. visa after spending a significant sum on application fees has ignited a wave of discussions online.
This incident has led many Nigerians to advocate for a refund policy for those whose visa applications are rejected, as the costs involved are substantial.
The woman expressed her distress, revealing her hard work in preparing for the visa interview and lamenting the financial loss: “I feel sad. I could have used my money to buy a car. I’m depressed,” but remains hopeful, stating, “I’ll go to that Yankee.”
While recounting her experience, she noted that more than 80 applicants received denials alongside her, estimating that out of around 300 attendees, only about five might get their visas approved.
The US embassy denied her visa… pic.twitter.com/pKErZukccj
— PB (@Pep_Boxx) November 10, 2024
Her story struck a chord with many Nigerians on social media, prompting them to share similar experiences and echo the demand for a refund or compensation system.
Twitter user @81_flacos remarked, “Even if they won’t refund, at least a compensation of any kind would go a long way. Cos you know how much you’ll spend? At the end, you get denied, and then it feels like a wasted investment.”
User @MayJaYBaE was candid about the situation, labeling the visa application process a “scam,” while suggesting that it exploits applicants from Africa and other developing nations.
In a similar vein, @Reggy1960 commented on the persistent high denial rates, stating, “Nigerian lady cries out after her US VISA got denied after spending millions of naira. This is the story of many Nigerians every year; there should be a refund policy.”
Adding his voice, @Slevin767025080 shared his own distressing experience at the U.S. embassy in Abuja, where he witnessed multiple rapid denials: “These people were denying folks in under 30 seconds. See Nigerians crying, explaining, and begging. Me I sha got mine, no real questions asked. But that day, I felt sorry for myself being Nigerian. These guys no rate us.”
This incident has triggered broader conversations on social media, with calls for reforms and measures to protect applicants financially from unsuccessful visa processes.
