U.S. Embassy Announces New Visa Application Process For Nigerians

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has introduced a new two-step process for immigrant visa applicants at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, effective from January 1, 2025. The change aims to make the visa application process more efficient and reduce delays.
Under the new procedure, all applicants will be required to visit the consulate twice. The first visit will be for an In-Person Document Review, where consular staff will check that applicants have all the necessary documents and are fully prepared for their visa interview. This review will take place two to four weeks before the scheduled interview. Applicants will be notified by consulate staff about the date for the document review, and no appointment is needed as it will be scheduled directly by the consulate.
The second visit is the visa interview, which will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC). Applicants must attend the interview on the scheduled date and time. If they fail to complete the document review in time, they will need to reschedule their interview.
To prepare for the new process, applicants must create an account on the consulate’s online system. This account will be used to schedule appointments, track their application, and provide information for returning documents after the interview. Applicants must also complete a medical exam at an accredited facility in Nigeria before the document review. The medical exam, which includes a physical check-up, chest X-rays, and tuberculosis (TB) testing for those over the age of two, should be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the document review. Additionally, applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to undergo the medical exam. Those not vaccinated will be unable to proceed with the exam.
Applicants are required to bring several documents to both the In-Person Document Review and the visa interview. These include a valid passport, birth certificates, police certificates (for those over 16), and any visa-specific documents like proof of relationship for family-based visas or employment verification for work-based visas.
After the interview, a consular officer will decide whether to approve or deny the visa application. If approved, applicants will be notified when their visa is ready for pickup. They must wait for this confirmation before making any travel arrangements. Documents can be picked up at designated DHL offices in Lagos or Abuja.
This new procedure is designed to streamline the visa application process, ensuring applicants are fully prepared and minimizing the chance of delays. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow all instructions provided by the U.S. Consulate and visit the consulate’s official website for more information.