If you are going to the US from Nigeria, you will need a visa. The type of visa you will apply for depends on the purpose of your visit.
Advertisements
If you are visiting for tourism, you need a tourist visa, if it is to work, you need a work visa and so on.
Each of the US visa types you can get in Nigeria has specific requirements you must submit when applying for the visa.
However, some requirements are necessary, no matter the visa type you are applying for.
They include:
Requirements for US visa application in Nigeria
The first thing you need is your international passport.
1. Your valid international passport
By now, you should know that you must have a Nigerian passport if you want to travel out of the country, including when you want to go to the USA.
Not only that, but your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.
For example, if you want to visit the U.S. in April and plan to stay until June, your passport must be valid until at least December.
If your passport is about to expire, you should renew it before you apply for the visa.
2. Completed DS-160 form
One of the visa application processes is filling out the visa application form. This exercise is done online or offline at the visa application centre.
The form is called the DS-160 – it is the online form where you fill in all your details, travel plans, and background information.
The DS-160 form is like your formal introduction to the U.S. embassy. It is through this form that the US immigration authorities will know who you are, why you want to visit, and if you qualify to visit.
How the form works is that after filling it out, you will get a DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode.
You are expected to print this out and bring it to your visa interview.
3. Visa application fee payment (MRV Fee) receipt
Another requirement for a US visa application in Nigeria is proof that you have paid the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee.
You need to pay for this fee before booking an appointment for your visa interview.
As of now, the amount is usually $185 for a tourist visa (B1/B2), but it can change in the future.
Don’t worry, there are seamless ways to make this payment.
You can pay through GTBank in Nigeria or online. After you make the payment, you’ll get a payment receipt.
When you get the receipt, keep it safe because you will need it to book your interview appointment.
The slogan is “No receipt, no interview booking”.
4. Visa appointment confirmation letter
This is another important U.S. visa requirement, and I already mentioned it above.
After paying the visa fee, you must book your appointment and print the appointment confirmation letter.
This letter is what you will present at the U.S. embassy before they will allow you in for your interview.
Without it, they won’t let you in for the interview.
Your interview date, time, and location will be in the letter.
5. Your passport photograph
When filling out your form, you will upload your passport photograph; however, it doesn’t end there.
You will also bring a recent passport photograph that meets U.S. visa photo requirements with you for the interview.
Your passport should have a white background, no glasses, a neutral face, and be 2×2 inches in size (51×51 mm).
You can take a professional passport in a studio like Studio24 or PhotoGenic.
Make sure you come with extra copies of the passport photograph on the day of your interview.
6. Proof of strong ties to Nigeria
This particular requirement is also very important. It should have been at the top of our list.
You must show the U.S. immigration authorities that you have reasons to return to Nigeria after visiting their country.
To do this, you can submit proof of your employment back in Nigeria, like your employment letter.
Or, you submit proof that you have a business that you are running in Nigeria, like a business registration letter.
Other evidence you can present is are school admission letter, proof that you have family ties like your marriage certificate, or birth certificates of your children.
For example, if you are a young graduate who is applying for a tourist visa, you can show an employment letter from your company stating that you are on leave and will return to work.
7. Proof of funds
This requirement is compulsory. They want you to submit proof that you can financially support yourself when you arrive in the US.
To do this, you can submit your bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months, proof of salary, business income, or a sponsorship letter if someone else is sponsoring you.
For example, if your uncle in the U.S. is sponsoring you, he must send a sponsorship letter and his bank statements, too.
8. Invitation letter (this is optional, depending on visa type)
This requirement will be needed if you are visiting your family or attending a conference in the US.
You will get an invitation letter from the person or organisation that is inviting you.
Let’s assume that you are attending your cousin’s wedding in New York, your cousin can write an invitation letter saying that you are coming for his wedding and will leave after the wedding.
Getting an invitation letter is good, but it does not guarantee visa approval.
9. Travel itinerary
You will also submit your planned travel schedule to the immigration authorities.
Your itinerary should include your flight reservations (no need to buy tickets yet), hotel bookings, or a letter from the event you are attending.
10. Previous U.S. visas (If any)
If you have travelled to the U.S. before, you should bring copies of your old visas or the passports that contain them.
If you travelled to the U.S. last year, bring that old passport with the visa sticker, even if it’s expired now.
What this does is show the immigration authorities that you have a good travel history.
11. Additional documents (this depends on the visa type)
If you are applying for:
- A Student Visa (F1): You will need proof of admission, (also called an admission letter) from a U.S. school, a SEVIS fee receipt, I-20 form.
- Work Visa (H1B): If it is a work visa, you will need a job offer letter and petition approval (I-797 form).
12. Attend the visa interview
This is also part of the requirement for a US visa application in Nigeria. In most cases, the authorities will ask you to come for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U.S. Consulate in Lagos.
During the interview, they will ask you questions about your trip, why you are travelling, how you will fund your trip and many others.
Whatever question they ask you, make sure that you give them an honest answer. If you lie and they find out (of course, they will find out), your application will be rejected.
Different types of U.S. visas that Nigerians can apply for
Nigerians can get U.S. visas like:
1. B1/B2 Visa (Visitor or Tourist visa)
This is the most common US visa that Nigerians apply for. It covers both business (B1) and tourism/visiting (B2) purposes.
- B1 is for business trips, like when you want to attend business meetings, conferences, or training.
- B2 is for when you want to visit your family, go on vacation or get medical treatment in the US.
If you want to attend a wedding in the U.S., go on holiday, or visit your uncle in Texas, this is the visa you will apply for.
2. F1 Visa (Student visa)
This one is for people who want to go and study in the US. You will only get it if you have been admitted to study in a government-approved school in the USA.
To get this visa, you need an admission letter from the school.
For example, if you get admission to study at a university in California, you’ll need an F1 visa.
3. J1 Visa (Exchange visitor visa)
This one is for people who are going to the USA for exchange programs like internships, short-term studies, cultural exchange, or special government programs.
To get this visa, you must be sponsored by a U.S. organisation or agency.
4. H1B Visa (Skilled work visa)
Just like the name sounds, this visa is only for skilled workers who have been offered a job in the U.S. by a U.S. employer.
Before they issue you this visa, you need a bachelor’s degree or be specialised in fields like IT, engineering, medicine, or finance.
Another thing about the visa is that the U.S. employer will file a petition for you before you can apply for the visa.
5. H4 Visa (Dependent of H1B holder)
This visa is for the spouse or children of someone with an H1B visa. One thing about this visa is that you cannot work with it unless you get a special work permit (EAD).
But you can study while on the visa.
The visa works this way: if your husband has an H1B visa and is working in the U.S., you and your kids can apply for an H4 visa to join him.
6. M1 Visa (Vocational student visa)
If you want to study in a technical or vocational school in the U.S., this visa is for you.
It is not for your traditional university; rather, it is for things like beauty schools, technical colleges, or flight training.
To get the visa, you need a form called I-20M-N from the school.
7. K1 Visa (Fiancé/Fiancée visa)
This is another visa that is not so common for Nigerians. This visa is for someone who is engaged to a U.S. citizen and wants to travel to the U.S. to get married.
Before anybody will issue you this visa, you must show proof of your genuine relationship with a US citizen.
If you finally get the visa, you must get married to your US spouse within 90 days of arriving in the U.S.
8. CR1/IR1 Visa (Marriage-based immigrant visa)
If you are already married to a U.S. citizen but want to go and live permanently in the U.S., you will need this visa.
Before this visa is issued to you, your U.S. spouse will file a petition on your behalf. Once it is approved, you become a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder).
9. DV Lottery Visa (Diversity visa or Green card lottery)
Many Nigerians are familiar with this visa. It is for people who are selected in the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery (also called the Green Card Lottery).
Every year, the U.S. will randomly select applicants from countries with low immigration numbers, like Nigeria.
If you are selected, you can apply for a permanent immigrant visa to live and work in the U.S.
10. L1 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer Visa)
If you work for an international company and you are being transferred from your company’s Nigerian office to the U.S. office, you will need this visa.
You won’t get this visa if you have not worked for the company for up to 1 year.
Table of Different types of U.S. visas that Nigerians can apply for
Here’s a table showing all the U.S. visa types that Nigerians can apply for
| Visa Type | What It’s Used For | Who Should Apply | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 (Tourist/Business) | Visiting the U.S. for tourism, medical reasons, family visits, or business meetings | People going for short visits (vacation, weddings, conferences, etc.) | Valid for up to 6 months per visit. Can be single or multiple entry. Doesn’t allow you to work. |
| F1 (Student Visa) | Studying full-time at a U.S. college, university, or high school | People who have admission to a U.S. school and an I-20 form | You must pay the SEVIS fee. You can work part-time on campus. You may apply for work authorisation after one year. |
| J1 (Exchange Visitor Visa) | Educational and cultural exchange programs, like teaching, training, and internships | People sponsored by a U.S. organisation for an exchange program | Requires a sponsor. You will return home after the program before applying for another U.S. visa. |
| H1B (Skilled Worker Visa) | Working in a U.S. company in a specialised field (IT, medicine, engineering, etc.) | People with a degree and a U.S. job offer from a company/person willing to sponsor them | An employer must file a petition (Form I-129). Usually valid for 3 years, extendable to 6 years. |
| H4 (Dependent of H1B) | Joining a family member who is in the U.S. on an H1B | Spouse and children (under 21) of someone with an H1B visa | You can study in the U.S., but you need extra permission (EAD) to work. |
| M1 (Vocational Student Visa) | Studying at a trade or vocational school (e.g. flight training, technical skills) | People are admitted to vocational training schools | Requires Form I-20M-N. You cannot work while studying and must prove strong financial support. |
| K1 (Fiancé(e) Visa) | Travelling to the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen fiancé(e) | People engaged to a U.S. citizen who wants to marry in the U.S. | You must marry within 90 days of arrival. After marriage, you can apply for a green card. |
| CR1/IR1 (Marriage Visa) | Living permanently in the U.S. after marrying a U.S. citizen | People who are already legally married to a U.S. citizen | This leads directly to a green card (permanent residence). The U.S. spouse must petition first. |
| DV Lottery (Green Card Lottery) | Winning a green card through the Diversity Visa program | Nigerians selected in the annual DV lottery draw | You must apply every year to enter the lottery. If selected, you will attend a visa interview and submit supporting documents. |
| L1 (Intra-Company Transfer) | Transferring to a U.S. branch of your company | Employees of multinational companies moving to the U.S. branch | Must have worked with the company for at least 1 year. O |
If you want to visit the US from Nigeria, prepare all these requirements before starting your visa application.
Advertisements