Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria has announced that starting from November 24, the US Mission will again be expanding operations to better serve the student population of Nigeria.
According to the announcement made on Friday by the Public Affairs Section, this approach will be two-fold: a special procedure for students who need to renew student visas to continue their course of study, and a series of dedicated interview days for prospective new students.
For new student visa applications, the US Mission stated: “You may be eligible for a priority student visa interview slot if you are a prospective student seeking an F1 visa appointment and you have not been refused an F1 visa in the past six months.
“We encourage all students to submit the documents listed below as soon as possible to take advantage of this limited opportunity.
“Please note that in order to schedule as many qualified and interested students as possible, we are unable to accommodate any requests to reschedule your appointment.”
For Abuja applicants, the US Mission stated that “Abuja student surge days will take place on December 8, December 15, and January 12. These surge days will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
“To make an appointment in Abuja, visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and review the criteria and instructions to request an emergency student visa interview, and prepare the below documents.
A completed DS-160
An approved I-20
A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
A scan of the biopage of your current valid passport
A scan of your passport photograph meeting these requirements
For Lagos applicants, the US Mission stated that “Lagos student surge days will take place on November 24, December 8, and December 15. These surge days will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To make an appointment in Lagos, you should e-mail all of the following documents to LagosStudents@state.gov:
A completed DS-160
An approved I-20
A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
A scan of the biopage of your current valid passport
A scan of your passport photograph meeting these requirements
The announcement added that for returning student visa applications, “If you are currently studying in the United States, you may be eligible for a special application procedure.
“To qualify for this procedure, you must be renewing a student visa that is still valid or has expired within the past 24 months and are renewing your visa either to: (a) continue participation in the same major course of study even if at a different institution; or (b) attend the same institution even if in a different major course of study.
Abuja applicants: Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/ng and follow the instructions to complete your visa application. Visit a designated DHL facility and mail the following documents:
A printout of your Confirmation page (printed from www.ustraveldocs.com/ng)
A completed DS-160
An approved I-20
A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
Your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required)
A passport photograph meeting these requirements
Proof of continued full-time enrollment (such as transcripts, tuition payment, etc.)
“Lagos applicants: Bring all of the following to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos at 12:30-1:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, between November 25 and January 5:
A completed DS-160
An approved I-20
A receipt for your I-901 SEVIS fee
A GTBank (MRV) receipt for your visa fee
Your passport containing the expired student visa (if that passport is expired, a current valid passport is also required)
A passport photograph meeting these requirements
Proof of continued full-time enrollment (such as transcripts, tuition payment, etc.)
