US Embassy Introduces New Visa Application Process for Nigerians
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced a significant change to its immigration visa process, effective January 1, 2025. The new process requires applicants with scheduled interviews to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the application process.
According to the US Embassy, the first visit will be for an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member. This review is designed to ensure that applicants are adequately prepared for their visa interviews. As stated on the embassy’s website, “This 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 for an interview with a Consular Officer, scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC). It is essential for applicants to complete the In-Person Document Review before their visa interview, as failure to do so may require rescheduling the appointment. The US Embassy emphasized that this new process is designed to help applicants prepare for their visa interviews and prevent significant delays in processing immigrant visas.
In a statement on its official X page, the US Embassy explained the rationale behind the new process. “This new process is designed to help you prepare for your visa interview and to prevent significant delays in processing your immigrant visa.” The embassy’s goal is to provide a more efficient and effective visa application process for Nigerian applicants.
In a related development, the US Embassy announced in July 2024 that its operations in Abuja and Lagos would be handled by a new visa services provider, effective August 26, 2024. This decision was made to enhance the overall visa application experience for Nigerian applicants. The introduction of the new visa services provider and the revised application process demonstrate the US Embassy’s commitment to improving its services and providing a more efficient experience for applicants.
