US embassy issues new directive for Nigerian visa applicants

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has reviewed its immigration visa processes for immigrants starting from January 1, 2025.

According to the embassy, applicants with interviews will now visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the process.

The directive was announced on its official X page on Tuesday.

It read, “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.”

Further checks on the embassy’s website revealed that the first visit to the US Consulate in Lagos would be for an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member, adding, “This review ensures that applicants are prepared for their visa interviews.

It continued, “The review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing.

“The second interview, on the other hand, is with a Consular Officer. The date for this interview will be scheduled for applicants by the National Visa Center (NVC).

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

On July 2024, The PUNCH reports that the embassy announced its operation in its Abuja and Lagos consulates will be handled by a new visa services provider, starting August 26, 2024.

The decision was announced on the official website and verified social media pages of the American embassy.