How To Apply For A USA Visa In Nigeria

How To Apply For A USA Visa In Nigeria
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In this article, We will be going over the United States visa requirements for Nigerian citizens and expats. You’ll also get to see USA visa appointments in Nigeria, I’ll show you the easiest way to get an American visa from Nigeria, where the U.S. embassy is located in Nigeria and American visa requirements, costs, and fees in Nigeria.

So, How do You Get a U.S. Visa Fast in Nigeria? To be honest, most Nigerian wants to live the “American dreams” they want to play in snow, leave that awesome life, fly abroad and enjoy the benefits of an American citizen but If you pay attention to the world news, you ought to know that the United States of America, under its current president Donald Trump, doesn’t have a soft spot for Nigerian immigrants.

The white house, in Trump’s administration, increased the price of the USA visa for Nigerians around August 2019. The additional reciprocity fees are from $80 – $303 depending on the class of visa you want. This means that immigrants and Nigerians will now pay between $160 – $265 for an ordinary visitor visa to the United States.

As if that is not enough, In January 2020, the same administration placed a travel ban on citizens from Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. Immigrants from these countries will be blocked by the U.S. government obtaining certain types of visas.

This current administration does not provide good traveling conditions for Nigerians. You should also remember that if your Visa application is denied, your money will not be refunded. So I strongly advise that you do not apply for the USA visa now, at least until things settle.

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Some countries offer cheaper visas and suitable travel conditions for Nigerians like Japan, China, the UAE, Russia, France, Sweden, the Bahamas, and Ukraine. These countries offer favorable conditions for Nigerian applicants.

That aside, the United States is truly is a great melting pot of diverse people, scattered across over 2,000 miles of quaint historic towns, upscale cities, and gorgeous vistas. At 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km ), a population of over 325 million people, the U.S. is the third-most populous country and over 350 languages spoken nationwide. It is a country you ought to visit twice or more in your lifetime.

The USA is not the easiest country in the world for immigration, this new administration is taking active steps to take these procedures up to a notch or two. The majority of Americans understand that immigration formed the very basis of their country and diversity equally brings strength. In 2013, over 40 million foreign-born immigrants represented 13% of the population resided in the United States.

Let’s look at the easiest ways that you can still successfully migrate from Nigeria to the United States of America. Despite the ever-changing rules, the main pathways remain work-based, family-based, or educational. But before we go on, take note of these terms visa, green card & immigrant:

What is a Visa?

A Travel Visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified time in a country. Visa applicants are required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee (including children) before applying for a non-immigrant visa.

Immigrant Visas are most times the first step people take before receiving citizenship. A Green Card is a permit allowing a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States. and Immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.

How Much Is A U.S Visa

The price of a USA visa varies, some are $160 and others are over $500. It depends on your application and demand.  This image below lists visa application fees collected by the Department of State in US Dollars and Nigerian Naira.

Types of Visas

There are two major visa types for aspiring Immigrants of the United States, they are:

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  • Immigrant Visas/Tourist Visa (B-2)

Immigrant visas are visas for individuals who plan to reside permanently in America. B-2 Visitor Visas are visas that allow the holder to stay in the United States for up to six months at a time. The validity of the visa is usually about two years. This is the first step to get a U.S citizenship.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a U.S. Citizen

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725 ($640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services), both of which are nonrefundable, whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.

  • Non-Immigrant Visas/Business Visa(B-1)

Non-Immigrant visas are for individuals who want to visit the United States for a fixed period. B-1 Visitor Visas are visas for business activities or commercial or professional service in the United States ie businessmen and tourists. Here, there are Work Visas, Student Visas, Business/Tourist visa and Transits Visa.

5 Easy Ways to Get A United States Travel Visa

Here are the easiest ways to get a U.S. visa, green card or an immigrant. So please, roll up your sleeves and get to work on a visa.

  1. Non-immigrant Visa for a Family/Spouse

This is by far the best way to get a U.S. green card and become a United States Citizen. A USA citizen/permanent resident can petition for their immediate family members, spouse, Fiancé(e). You and your fiancee will have to prove that you have met in person within the past two years before you can reside in the United States. This is the easiest way to get your USA Visa Approved. The price of a Family/Spouse visa in Nigeria is 95,400.00 Naira.

The process begins with your spouse or immediate relative filling forms and filing a Petition for Alien Relative that establishes the relationship between you. Of course, a list of the document will be required depending on the circumstances.

DO NOTE: Close attention will be paid to the relationship, don’t be tempted to try and fake this.

The documents required for a marriage green card vary but generally include:

  • Birth certificate(s)
  • Marriage certificate(s)
  • Financial document(s)
  • Proof of sponsor’s U.S. citizenship
  • Permanent Residence
  • Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status, if applicable
  • Police clearance certificate, if applicable.
  • Prior-marriage termination papers, if applicable.
  • Court, police and prison records, if applicable.
  • Military records, if applicable.
  • Immigration violation records , if applicable.

So, you should probably start looking for an American boyfriend/girlfriend to work the marriage angle. Once the legal relationship is established, then you can apply for an immigrant visa and legal status.

If you are planning to marry a non-U.S. citizen, hurry up and apply for a course of study so you can stay on as a student. Because the time frame after filling these documents is 90 days, after that you’ll be sent home again. And do make sure you marry within this timeframe(90 days).

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Immigrating to the United States is not particularly easy, but it can be so worthwhile.

Note: You must have entered the country legally.

  1. Applying for Student Visas:

Studying in America is not a sure way to permanent residence, but the procedures used to get a student visa is easier to get than others. This is another way to get your U.S. Visa approved but is limited to students. The price of a student visa in Nigeria is 57,600.00 Naira.

Your visa will be either F-1(academic institutions) or M-1(vocational training). Students between the ages of 14-79 are most likely to attend an in-person meeting with an official at the U.S. Embassy in their own country during the process. One of the easiest ways to get a student visa is to apply for scholarships.

Besides, there’s 47% that you’ll get support from your sponsor when applying for permanent residence. More Information on Student Visa will be added to this article shortly.

To get a student visa for the United States, there are conditions you must meet such as:

  1. You’ll need to first be accepted to an approved program.
    2. After being accepted, enroll as a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (there is a fee you’ll have to pay & to fill this U.S.A Student Form).
    3. Then you’ll fill a certain form that can be used to apply for a student visa.

Here, eligibility is based on special visa categories stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of the United States of Ameria.

The only downside of this course is that the total number of work visas available each year is just a hundred and forty thousand (140,000) and there are also limits on the number of applicants from a particular country that may be accepted. And in most cases, you will need a job offer before arrival.

  1. U.S Visa For Exceptional Ability

If you have an extraordinary ability, that has helped promote progress in your society. Well, it’s your time to smile, because you can easily get a visa for your exceptional ability. if you’re a multinational executive? Songwriter, poet, manager, engineer, architecture do outstanding work as a professor or researcher, etc.

Then you are in luck are soon as you’re on the U.S. radar. This procedure requires little or no monetary input and no job offer.

  1. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Advanced Degree

As I said in the above, having a skill brings you under the radar. If you hold an advanced degree or its equivalent, whether you are a skilled worker, professional or unskilled worker or a foreign national who can demonstrate exceptional ability in your field, you get easily get a U.S. Visa and Job offer to proof before being awarded a green card.

Note: This procedure depends on your academic standard as it varies and you must be in an industry where American workers are few.

How Much is the USA Visa Application Fee

All U.S visa fees are paid directly to the National Visa Center, U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate General, or the Department of Homeland Security. It is a Non-refundable fee. The type of visa for which you apply determines the fee amount. But most visa applicants pay either $160, $190 or $265 at GT Bank in Nigeria.

U.S. Visa Payment Fee in GT Bank 

All Visa Application fees are listed in U.S. dollars, but payment must be made using local currency. You can pay your fee at any GTBank branch or you can Pay for U.S Visa Online Using GT Bank. Simply log in to your GT Bank internet banking dashboard, and click on Visa fee payment that is located under the Book Hotels and Travels Menu. Once you make the payment, your receipt will be generated and sent to you which you will need to print before going to the airport.

How Much is a U.S. Application Processing Time

The time for appointments can be up to two months, while the processing time from the application is between 5 & 15 days depending on the type of application submitted and the volume of received applications.

How to apply for a U.S. Visa?

All applications and processing of visa information are done US Department of State website. Be careful when filling out your application and double-check the URL. A lot of visa application website has been cloned by scammers to trick foreigners/applicants into giving away their information and data.

  1. Upload Your Photograph according to the US Visa Photo Requirements [A minimum 600 pixels x 600 pixels].
  2. Complete the DS-160 form and submit it on the Visa Application Online Page.
  3. Print out the barcode confirmation page.
  4. Pay the processing fee online or over the counter at a bank
  5. Take the receipt with your interview.
  6. Schedule an appointment online or through a call center (234) 1 440 6218
  7. Go for your US Visa Application Appointment at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos with the following documents your passport number. processing fee payment receipt purchase date, 10-digit barcode number and other documents used in the application process.

When your visa is approved, your passport and the visa document will be delivered to your chosen address.

U.S. Visa Requirements

  • Original Nigerian passport with two blank pages and at least six months beyond your return date.
  • Supporting documents such as invitation letters, letters of employment, provisional flight bookings and travel itineraries, etc.
  • Previous passports (for travel history).
  • Barcoded DS-160 form confirmation page.
  • Appointment confirmation page.
  • Two-color photographs
  • Application fee payment receipt
  • Proof of funds

U.S. Visa Application in Online Portal

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All U.S. Visa Applications are processed and registered online on the US Department of State website.

U.S. Visa Interview Address in Nigeria

You should visit any of the following addresses to begin your interview.

United States Consulate in Lagos

  • Address: 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Website: ng.usembassy.gov
  • Telephone: (234) 1 460 3600
  • Email: LagosNIV@state.gov
  • Hours: Monday to Thursday 7 AM – 4 PM, Friday 7 AM – 1 PM

US Embassy in Abuja

  • Address: Plot 1075 Diplomatic DriveCentral District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Website: ng.usembassy.gov
  • Telephone: (234) 9 461 4000
  • Email: Consularabuja@state.gov
  • Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM – 4 PM

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