The US Embassy in Nigeria will require immigrant visa applicants to visit the Lagos Consulate General twice, starting January 1, 2025. The new process includes an in-person document review to ensure complete documentation and avoid delays, followed by the visa interview. Applicants must adhere to guidelines to avoid rescheduling.
The US Embassy in Nigeria has announced updates to its immigrant visa application procedure, set to commence on January 1, 2025. This change requires applicants to make two visits to the Consulate General in Lagos, aimed at addressing delays caused by incomplete documentation.
The first visit, termed “In-Person Document Review,” involves meeting with a consular staff member to verify and complete all required documentation before the visa interview. According to the embassy’s statement, this process allows applicants to address any document deficiencies ahead of time, ensuring smoother processing.
The second visit will be the actual visa interview conducted by a Consular Officer. This critical appointment will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).
The embassy emphasized the importance of completing the document review phase, warning that failure to do so would necessitate rescheduling the visa interview, potentially prolonging the process.
“This new process is designed to help you prepare for your visa interview and avoid significant delays in processing your immigrant visa,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its official X page.
This update follows a recent transition to a new visa services provider for US consulates in Abuja and Lagos on August 26, 2024. These measures reflect ongoing efforts by the US Embassy to improve the visa application experience for Nigerian applicants.
Applicants are advised to carefully follow the new guidelines to avoid unnecessary disruptions in their visa application journey.
