USA Issues Fresh Directive For Nigerian Visa Applicants

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has updated its immigration visa procedures for applicants starting January 1, 2025.

As per the new guidelines, applicants who have scheduled interviews will be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos a minimum of two times throughout the process.

The announcement was made on the embassy’s official X page on Tuesday, stating, “For applicants with interviews set after January 1, 2025, you must visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process.”

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

Further checks on the embassy’s website revealed that the first visit to the US Consulate in Lagos would be for an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member, adding, “This review ensures that applicants are prepared for their visa interviews.

It continued, “The review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing.

“The second interview, on the other hand, is with a Consular Officer. The date for this interview will be scheduled for applicants by the National Visa Center (NVC).

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

On July 2024, it was reported that the embassy announced its operation in its Abuja and Lagos consulates will be handled by a new visa services provider, starting August 26, 2024.

The decision was disclosed on the official website and verified social media pages of the American embassy.