The new US visa rule for Nigerian applicants explained
The United States Embassy on Tuesday announced new immigrant visa processing requirements for Nigerians.
Under the new rule, all visa applicants would have to make two trips to the Consulate General in Lagos as part of the application procedure beginning January 1, 2025.
Those whose interviews are set for this date or later are subject to this policy.
The new procedure, according to the US embassy, aims to help applicants get ready for their visa interviews and to avoid major delays in the immigrant visa processing.
- In-person document review
Information on the embassy website explained that under the new procedure, visa applicants will first meet with a consular staff member for an in-person document review during an initial visit to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. This, according to the embassy, is to prevent delays in processing their application, as they get the chance to get any missing papers during the necessary review prior to their visa interview.
The in-person document review does not require an appointment.
About two to four weeks before their visa interview, the consular section will send the applicant an email with the date of the document review appointment.
- Visa interview
The second visit is for the consular officer interview for a visa.
According to the announcement, the visa interview will take place at the time and date that the National Visa Centre (NVC) has set for the applicant.
The embassy explained that an applicant will have to reschedule the appointment if they fail to finish the In-Person Document Review prior to their visa interview date.
