Non-Immigrant Visas

General Information

Nigerians seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period must obtain a nonimmigrant visa.  Most nonimmigrant visa applicants seek to travel for business or pleasure.  Others wish to study, participate in exchange programs, or take up certain temporary employment.

Qualifying for a Nonimmigrant Visa

According to U.S. visa laws and regulations, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have strong ties to their country of residence and must show that they intend to depart the United States after their temporary visit.  While there is no specific list of documents to be provided or things that must be done in order to demonstrate strong ties outside of the United States, applicants may wish to bring a variety of materials that can assist in demonstrating these ties. 

Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  THE NAME YOU ENTER WHEN MAKING AN APPOINTMENT MUST MATCH EXACTLY THE NAME IN YOUR PASSPORT.  IF THE NAME ON THE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE DOES NOT MATCH THE NAME IN YOUR PASSPORT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND YOUR INTERVIEW AND WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. 

To apply for a nonimmigrant visa, you will have to pay the non-refundable $131 visa application fee at a designated branch of UBA Plc and enter the fee receipt number when making an appointment. 

Nonimmigrant visa applicants must schedule an appointment for a personal interview at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.  Before you will be allowed to choose a date, you will have to fill out the electronic visa form (DS-156) and enter the barcode number in the space provided.  You then may select from available dates.  If all available appointment slots are taken, you will have to try at another time to secure an appointment.  The U.S. Embassy in Abuja opens new appointment slots every business Monday at 1:00 p.m. and the Consulate General in Lagos opens new appointment slots every business Monday at 10:00 a.m. 

Each applicant may schedule only one interview appointment.  If you would like another appointment date, you must cancel the original appointment and make a new one.  An applicant who has double-booked appointments will not be allowed to enter the visa section.  You will have to cancel all previous appointments and make a new one. 

Applicants must also submit some or all of the following, as noted:

• (For all applicants) An international passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States.  Please note that the passport must have current and accurate biographic information and should have no observations.
• (For all applicants) An electronic, barcoded nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-156), with all questions answered accurately and signed by the applicant, available at the website listed above or at https://evisaforms.state.gov
• (For all applicants) Two passport (5cm x 5cm) photographs with full face forward against a white background taken within the last six months.  Hair must not cover the ears. No photos with dark glasses or non-religious, tribal, or chieftaincy head covering will be permitted.
• (For males between the ages of 16 and 45) Form DS-157 available at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/ 
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• (For students) Form DS-158, available at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/
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• (For students) Endorsed, valid I-20
• (For exchange visitors) DS-2019
• (For all applicants) Visa application fee receipt from UBA Plc.

Applicants seeking to enter the United States to conduct business may present evidence of an ongoing relationship with a U.S. firm or provide a letter indicating the purpose of the trip, the intended length of stay, and the firm's intent to defray travel costs, if applicable.

Applicants seeking to enter the United States for medical treatment must present detailed information about the medical condition, the duration and total projected cost of the proposed treatment, and evidence of their ability to cover all expenses.

Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may provide other evidence substantiating the trip's purpose and specifying the nature of binding obligations, such as family ties or employment, which would compel them to depart the United States after a brief stay.

Please note that it is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take, as applicants' circumstances vary greatly.  Consular officers base their decisions primarily on the personal interview and may or may not ask to see documents. 

Additional Information

Almost all visa applications are adjudicated at the time of applicants' appearance at the Embassy or the Consulate General, but some cases require additional processing that may delay completion.

Issued visas are generally printed and returned within two business days of the applicants' appearance for their interview.

At most, visas will be valid for two years, which means individuals can enter and leave the United States as many times as they want in that two-year period.  This does not mean individuals may stay two years.  U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers at U.S. ports of entry determine the period of time travelers may remain in the United States.

Visas do not guarantee entry into the United States.  Responsibility for authorizing entry lies with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers at U.S. ports of entry, not with interviewing consular officers.

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas should not need to employ persons to assist them in preparing documents or securing access to the consulate.  Please beware of touts and 419 scams.

Applicants who attempt to obtain nonimmigrant visas through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact may be permanently refused visas and denied entry into the United States. 

Individuals whose visa applications are denied may reapply by scheduling another appointment at http://nigeria.usembassy.gov.  Please note, however, that applications will likely be denied again unless the applicant's family or economic situation changes significantly.

Further Inquiries

Specific questions about individual visa cases may be directed to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja by emailing ConsularAbuja@state.gov, or to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos by emailing LagosNIV@state.gov or fax: 234-1-261-5916.

General visa questions may be directed to the U.S. Department of State by emailing usvisa@state.gov.  Please indicate the subject of your inquiry in the subject line (e.g., student visa, visitor visa, worker visa, spouse visa, affidavit of support, etc.).

For student visa information, please see http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/studying/studying_1238.html. The site contains complete information about additional requirements for students, including I-20 forms, SEVIS fees, financial support, student qualifications, and electronic verification of admission.

Further information is available at http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html