The USA – United States of America – is one of the most beautiful countries in the World which is one reason why people from other countries go there for visits. For Nigerians, it is no different as every year so many Nigerians apply for visas to travel to the US. Let us discuss the various types of us visa application in Nigeria.
If you are a Nigerian who wish to travel to the US for business or leisure, this article will be walking you through the processes and requirements involved for a US visa application in Nigeria. A lot will be covered to make the process easy for you to understand; all you need to do as this point is to read on.
To begin with, it is important to know that there are different types of US visas in Nigeria you can apply for; your reason for traveling to the US will determine the type of visa you are to apply for. There are two main types of visa and they are;
US Visa application: Immigrant visas
If you are a citizen of the USA or you plan on going there to live permanently, you should apply for an immigrant visa. This visa permits you to apply as a legal permanent resident in the USA and with it, you can also apply to become a US citizen (by naturalization).
Most Nigerians get to apply for immigrant visas if they are going over to work for a US employer. In this case, your employer (he or she must be a US citizen) would need to submit a petition on your behalf to the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)–an agency that administers naturalization and immigration services in the US. Also, a family member who is a legal permanent resident or citizen of the US can submit a petition on your behalf with reasons why you need to come and live there.
Whichever reason it is, getting an approved petition from the USCIS will make it very easy for you to obtain a US visa here in Nigeria. Application for immigrant visas can be done at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos; it cannot be done at the US Embassy in Abuja.
US Visa application: Nonimmigrant visas
Non-immigrant visas are the usual type of visa Nigerians apply for. These types of visas are for people who wish to travel to the US for a particular reason and a particular period; it could be business, school, a religious or social event etc.
Before you can be issued a US non-immigrant visa, the US visa laws and regulations demand that you provide proof that you are a citizen of Nigeria and that you agree to leave the US immediately after the period you intend to stay. These will be carried out at the US embassy before a consular officer.
You can apply for a non-immigrant visa at the US Consulate General in Lagos and the US Embassy in Abuja. At the embassy, you would need to select the type of non-immigrant visa you want to apply for; below are the different types;
US Visa application: Business/Tourist/Medical Visa (B-1, B-2)
This visa is for those traveling to the US temporality, it could be for medical treatment, business, tourism.
US Visa application: Student Visa (F-1 Visa)
This visa is for students who are going to study in an approved educational institution in the US; colleges, universities or secondary schools.
US Visa application: M-1 Visa
This visa is for those who are traveling do vocational training or at other non-academic learning processes.
US Visa application: Work Visa H-1B (specialty occupation)
This visa is for those who are traveling to carry out a particular job or service. You would need to present at least a bachelor’s degree in your job field.
US Visa application: H-2A (seasonal agricultural workers visa)
If you are traveling to the US to take up seasonal agricultural jobs, you need an H-2A visa. This
US Visa application: H-2B visa (skilled and unskilled workers visa)
If you are traveling to the US to take up any other seasonal or temporary job, you need an H-2B visa.
US Visa application: H-3 (trainee visa)
If you are traveling to the US to undergo any special training for less than 2 years, you should apply for an H-3 visa.
US Visa application: H-4 (dependents visa)
H-4 visas are for people who want to accompany others going to work in the US; this could be your spouse or children (must be under 21)
US Visa application: L-1 (intra-company transferees visa)
An L-1 visa is needed when you are being transferred by your company from Nigeria to the US temporarily.
US Visa application: L-2 (dependents visa)
L-2 visas are for people who want to accompany others who have been transferred to work in the US; this could be your spouse or children (must be under 21)
US Visa application: P (artists, entertainers visa)
Musicians, athletes or other entertainers going to the US to perform in a particular event need P visas.
US Visa application: R (religious worker visa)
You should apply for an R visa if you are going to work in a religious capacity temporarily.
Most Nigerians traveling to the US go for the tourist visa as it is not very difficult to acquire.
US Visa Application Requirements
Before you can be granted a US visa in Nigeria, there are certain requirements you need to meet and these are listed below;
• You must possess a Nigerian International Passport; this passport should be valid for up to six months from your returning date and it should have at least two empty pages.
• You would need to present your previous passport (or previous pages of your current passport) as proof if you have any travel history.
• You would need to present a copy of the confirmation page of your DS-160 form; this page would have a barcode printed on it.
• You would need to present a copy of your appointment confirmation page
• Two colored photos that meet the US Visa photo requirements.
• You would need to present the payment receipt of your application fee.
• You would need to present a bank statement, payslips or other related financial documents as proof of funds.
• You can include any other document supporting your reason for traveling to the US; this could be an admission letter, employment letter, etc.
How much is US Visa Fee in Nigeria?
To apply for a visa, the amount of money you pay as fee differs; it depends on the type of visa you are applying for. The fees are between N50,000 – N80,000. For business and tourist visa (the most common type of US visa Nigerians apply for), you would pay about N57,680.00 (Fifty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira Only.
This payment can be made online or at the bank. You pay at any GT Bank branch or via GT online bills pay service if you have an account with the bank. At the bank, you would get a receipt after payment which is one of the required documents when you go for your interview.
What are the steps to apply for a US Visa?
If you been asking the question “How do I apply for a US visa from Nigeria?”, you can do by following the below steps;
Applying for US Visa: Step 1
Decide on the type of visa you want to apply for (this depends on your reason for traveling to the US). The types of visas available have been listed above and you must make the right pick for your application to be granted.
Applying for US Visa: Step 2
The next thing you have to do is to pay the visa fee. As earlier stated, this can be paid at a GT bank branch or online. Determine the correct amount you are supposed to pay, make payment and keep your payment receipt.
Applying for US Visa: Step 3
You need to head over to the website – https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ – to fill the DS-160 form. Do go through the form guidelines and ensure that you enter all the details correctly as you won’t be able to make changes once you submit; if there is anything you do not understand, get help. After submitting your form, take note of your DS-160 number:
Applying for US Visa: Step 4
What you are to do now is to register on the system and create a profile. For this, you are to visit the website – https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Nigeria – and click on new user. Fill the form accordingly by entering all requested details; you would need to create a password which is very important.
Applying for US Visa: Step 5
For those asking “how do I schedule my US visa interview in Nigeria?” this step covers it. Login to your account with the username and password created in the previous step; click on Schedule Appointment at the left-hand side of the page. Fill the form by entering all requested details and click on schedule appointment at the end. Your visa appointment date will be scheduled and you would get the date and time; ensure to print it out.
Applying for US Visa: Step 6
This is the final step and it involves attending your interview. Visit the US embassy on your appointment date and go with all the necessary documents that you are to present.
How do I know my US visa is approved?
After the interview, your visa application will either be approved or rejected.
If your visa is approved, your passport with the visa will be delivered to the pick-up location you specified when you scheduled your appointment or couriered to your chosen address.
Conclusion
Applying for a US visa in Nigeria is not so difficult if you follow the procedures correctly. All it takes is an online application, attending an interview and getting approved. You should try to apply for your visa 3 – 4 months before your flight departure date.