Updated on September 8, 2023
Imagine you, standing atop the Empire State Building, gazing at the mesmerizing New York City skyline. Or perhaps, you’re envisioning a life-changing educational experience at one of America’s renowned universities. Maybe, it’s the allure of career prospects in the Land of Opportunity that beckons you. These dreams and more can become a reality with a US visa application in Nigeria.
Brimming with opportunities, the United States is a sought-after destination for millions. However, embarking on your American journey starts with understanding the ins and outs of the US visa application process right here in Nigeria.
In this definitive guide, we’ll unveil the secrets to securing that elusive US visa. From deciphering the visa categories to conquering the visa interview, we’ve got you covered. So, fasten your seatbelt, as we navigate through the labyrinth of US visa applications, ensuring you’re well-prepared for this life-changing voyag
In Nigeria, it is mostly very difficult to get your visa because there is no detailed information on how to get it done. So I have decided to explain to you some basic procedures for a US visa application in Nigeria.
A visa is a legal document that enables you to enter a foreign nation legally. Your travel passport is normally stamped or affixed with the visa. There are a variety of visas available, each of which grants you different rights in the US.
Many people misunderstand the concept of a passport and a visa. The primary distinction between a passport and a visa is that the visa is an endorsement put within a passport that allows the holder official authorization to enter, depart, or stay in a country for a given or certain amount of time.
There are two basic types of US visas in Nigeria, Immigrants, and Non-immigrant Visas.
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Types of US Visas Available for Nigerians
Before diving into the application process, it’s crucial to understand that the US offers a variety of visa types, each catering to different purposes. Whether you’re planning a vacation, pursuing higher education, or exploring career opportunities, there’s a specific visa for you. Choosing the right one is the initial challenge.
1. The Immigrant’s Visas
Immigrant visas are issued to people who intend to live permanently in the United States. The immigrant visa allows an applicant to apply for admission to the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident and is a possible step toward obtaining U.S. citizenship.
Most immigrant visa applications begin when a qualified family member who is a US citizen or legal permanent resident petitions the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on behalf of the intended immigrant.
A U.S. employer may also file a petition for a foreign national whom the employer wishes to hire for an eligible permanent position. The US Embassy in Abuja in Nigeria does not process immigrant visa applications, this can only be done at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria.
2. Non-immigrant Visas
Tourists, business people, students, and speciality workers who intend to stay in the United States for a certain period to fulfil specific goals use a nonimmigrant visa.
Most nonimmigrant visa applicants must establish to the consular officer that they have strong ties to their country of residence and that they intend to leave the United States after their temporary stay, according to US visa laws and regulations.
You can apply for a nonimmigrant visa at the United States Embassy in Abuja or the United States Consulate General in Lagos Nigeria.
The most common Non-Immigrant visa types in Nigeria for the US are as follows; Business/Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Student Visa, Exchange Visitor Visa, Transit/Ship Crew Visa, Domestic Employee Visa, and Journalist and Media Visa.
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How Much are US Visa Fees in Nigeria 2022
For any type of US visa application in Nigeria, here are the visa fees you’ll pay:
| US Visa Fee in Nigeria (USD) | Visa Type | Description |
| $160 | B | Business/Tourist |
| $160 | C-1 | Transit |
| $160 | D | Ship/Airline Crew |
| $160 | F | Student (academic) |
| $160 | I | Journalist and Media |
| $160 | J | Exchange Visitors |
| $160 | M | Student (vocational) |
| $160 | T | Victim of Human Trafficking |
| $160 | TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals |
| $190 | U | Victim of Criminal Activity |
| $190 | H | Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees |
| $190 | L | Intracompany Transferees |
| $190 | O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability |
| $190 | P | Artists & Entertainers |
| $190 | Q | International Cultural Exchange |
| $190 | R | Religious Worker |
| $265 | K | Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen |
| $205 | E | Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty |
Requirements for US Visa Application In Nigeria
To gain a US Visa, you’ll need to follow or meet certain requirements to increase your chances of being accepted. Every applicant, regardless of the type of visa they seek to get, must submit certain documentation to the US embassy or consulate. When submitting your US visa application in Nigeria, make sure you have all of these documents listed below:
1. An online Non-immigrant DS-160 Application Form
The Form DS-160 is an electronic application form for a Non-immigrant visa in the United States. It is an entirely online application that must be completed by each person seeking a Non-immigrant visa in the United States.
Personal information, contact information, passport and travel information, past trips to the United States (if any), family information, and questions about your education and professional experience are all included on the form.
2. A Valid Passport
You’ll have to provide a valid national passport and it must be valid for at least six months beyond your anticipated stay in the US. Some countries, however, are free from this requirement and just require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay in the United States. To apply for a visa, you must make sure to have at least one extra blank page in your passport.
3. One Passport Photograph
One of the most important requirements for any visa you apply for in the United States is a photo. While filling out the DS-160 form online, upload your photo.
You can submit the photo on the day of the appointment if the upload fails. Even if you upload the photo online, we recommend that you bring it with you to the interview in case you need it.
4. Receipt confirming payment of $160 for a Non-immigrant visa application in the United States.
In contrast to European visa policies, which require payment on the day of the appointment, a US visa requires payment in advance to book an interview.
Keep in mind that the cost of a US visa is non-refundable even though you cancel your appointment or your visa application is denied.
5. Your Social Media details
A list of the social media platforms you use, along with the name of your account on each, as well as your phone number, email, and social media history from the preceding five years.
How to Apply for US Visa Application in Nigeria
After you’ve confirmed you [ass all the requirements above, you can simply follow these Procedures for US Visa Application in Nigeria 2022. This procedure is for Non-immigrant application visas, so consider if you want to apply for one or not. Here’s how to apply for a US Nonimmigrant Visa in Nigeria.
1. Determine the Correct Visa Type to Apply
The first step for a US Visa Application in Nigeria is to determine the kind of visa you’d like to get, either a work visa or a Business Visa.
The most Common Non-Immigrant visa types in Nigeria for the US are as follows; Business/Tourist Visa, Work Visa, Student Visa, Exchange Visitor Visa, Transit/Ship Crew Visa, Domestic Employee Visa, and Journalist and Media Visa.
2. Pay the US Visa Fee
The second step for a US Visa application in Nigeria is You must pay the visa fee once you have determined the suitable visa type. You can look at the visa fee page, which details the different types of visas and their corresponding visa fees in US dollars and local currency.
Read the Bank and Payment Options page provided to you to learn how to pay your visa fee and keep your receipt number to book your visa appointment.
Receipts for MRVs are neither refundable nor transferable. Your MRV receipt’s reference number is private and should not be shared with anybody.
Applicants must double-check that the receipt they schedule corresponds to the receipt on their appointment confirmation letters, or they will be turned away on the day of their interview.
3. Complete the DS-160 form
The DS-160 form must be completed next. Make sure you thoroughly read the Instructions for Filling Out the DS-160 Form. All information must be accurate and current. Once you’ve submitted the form, you won’t be able to make any changes.
If you want assistance, please seek the guidance of an immigration translator. The call centre would be unable to assist you in completing your DS-160 and remember that to make an appointment, you’ll need your DS-160 number.
4. Schedule your Visa Appointment
The next step is to schedule your appointment date by creating a profile on ustraveldocs.com, clicking on a new user, and completing all required fields, then creating a password.
Once you are in the system, you will see your dashboard and on the left-hand side, click on Schedule Appointment. Your appointment process and schedule will begin
For each applicant being scheduled you will need your passport number, the receipt number from the GT Bank receipt and the ten (10) digit barcode number from the applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page.
5. Visit the U.S. Embassy on Appointment
Go to the US Embassy on the day and time of your visa interview. If your visa is accepted, the visa will be sent to the document drop-off location you selected when you scheduled your appointment on the Schedule My Appointment page.
How to Track My US Visa Application in Nigeria
After the interview, you can track your visa status online through the CEAC website. Enter your DS-160 barcode and keep an eye on the progress of your application.
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