US Embassy introduces new visa application process for Nigerian immigrants

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced changes to the visa application process for immigrant visa applicants, set to take effect from January 1, 2025.

Under the new procedure, applicants with scheduled interviews will be required to visit the US Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during their application process.

This revised process is aimed at enhancing efficiency and improving service delivery.

The embassy shared this update on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, advising applicants to familiarize themselves with the new requirements ahead of implementation.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor official communication channels for additional details and updates regarding the revised visa process.

“For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, you are required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process,” the statement read.

“This new process is designed to help you prepare for your visa interview and to prevent significant delays in processing your immigrant visa.”

Details on the embassy’s official website explain that the first visit will involve an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member.

This review was intended to ensure that applicants have all required documents before their visa interview.

“This review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing,” the embassy explained.

The second visit will be the visa interview with a Consular Officer, scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).

The embassy emphasised the importance of completing the document review before the interview, warning that failure to do so would result in the need to reschedule the appointment.

“If you do not complete the In-Person Document Review before your visa interview, you will be required to reschedule your appointment,” the directive stated.

Recall that in July 2024, the US Embassy announced a transition to a new visa services provider for its operations in Abuja and Lagos, effective August 26, 2024.

This change was communicated via the embassy’s official website and verified social media platforms.