US releases new visa directives for Nigerian immigrant applicants

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced significant changes to its immigration visa application procedures, effective from January 1, 2025. Under the revised system, applicants with scheduled interviews will now be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice as part of the process.  

The embassy made this known in a directive published on its official X page on Tuesday, stating, “For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, you are required to 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.”  

According to additional information on the embassy’s website, the first visit will involve an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member.  

“This review ensures that applicants are prepared for their visa interviews,” the embassy stated, adding, “The review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing.”  

The second visit will be the visa interview itself, conducted by a Consular Officer. The date for this interview will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).  

The embassy emphasised the need for applicants to complete the initial document review to avoid disruptions.  

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

The embassy’s revised process aims to improve efficiency and reduce delays, offering applicants a more streamlined visa application experience.