As a Nigerian passport holder, here is how Visa Process to the USA can be done.
The U.S.A or the United States of America is a country that has done great PR for its image and never lacks when it comes to droves of people looking to visit the country or move to the country to chase the American dream.
It is the melting pot of the world. Individuals from diverse backgrounds visit and reside here. There’s so much history, culture, great food, and shopping experiences which might be pricey but definitely worth the trip. You may or may not be required to get a visa before visiting the States. All Nigerian nationals are expected to obtain a visa before visiting.
Note: A visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer has determined that you are eligible to apply for entry to the United States for a specific purpose.
Visa Process To The U.S & Types of U.S. Visa
Immigrant visa: Visa Process To The U.S for Immigrant visas are for persons who plan to live permanently in the United States. The immigrant visa permits an application for admission to the United States as a Legal Permanent Resident and is a potential step toward acquiring U.S. citizenship. In Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja does not process immigrant visa applicants. Applicants from across Nigeria apply for immigrant visas at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for permanent residence.
Non-immigrant visa: A nonimmigrant visa is used by tourists, business people, students, or specialty workers who wish to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish specific purposes. According to U.S. visa laws and regulations, most nonimmigrant visa applicants must show that they intend to depart the United States after their temporary stay.
Visa Process To The U.S, Types of Non-immigrant visas
Purpose of visa | Visa type |
Athletes, amateur and professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 |
Athletes, artists, entertainers | P |
Australian worker – professional specialty | E-3 |
Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC |
Business visitors | B-1 |
Crewmembers (serving aboard a sea vessel or aircraft in the U.S.) | D |
Diplomats and foreign government officials | A |
Domestic employees or nannies (must be accompanying a foreign national employer) | B-1 |
Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO | G1-G5, NATO |
Exchange visitors | J |
Exchange visitors – au pairs | J-1 |
Exchange visitors – professors, scholars, teachers | J-1 |
Exchange visitors – children (under age 21) or spouse of a J-1 holder | J-2 |
Exchange visitors – international cultural | J, Q |
Fiancé(e) | K-1 |
Foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S. | A-2, NATO1-6 |
Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics | O-1 |
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Chile | H-1B1 |
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Singapore | H-1B1 |
Information media representative (media, journalists) | I |
Intra-company transferees | L |
Medical treatment, visitors | B-2 |
NAFTA professional workers: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD |
Nurses traveling to areas short of health care professionals | H-1C |
Physicians | J-1, H-1B |
Religious workers | R |
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B |
Students – academic and language students | F-1 |
Student dependents – dependent of an F-1 holder | F-2 |
Students – vocational | M-1 |
Student dependents – dependent of an M-1 holder | M-2 |
Temporary workers – seasonal agricultural | H-2A |
Temporary workers – nonagricultural | H-2B |
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitors | B-2 |
Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 |
Treaty investors | E-2 |
Treaty traders | E-1 |
Transiting the United States | C |
Victims of human trafficking | T-1 |
Visa renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO | A1-2, G1-4, NATO1-6 |
Visa Process To The U.S: Visa Requirements
General requirements
- A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
- One (1) 2″x2″ (5cmx5cm) photograph. This page has information about the required photo format.
- A receipt showing payment of your US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, paid in local currency. If a visa is issued, based on the recent visa reciprocity fee now charged by the USA, Nigerians must pay a visa issuance fee. (see visa reciprocity article)
- Your interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment
- You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.
- Current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets.
- Your travel itinerary and/or other explanation about your planned trip.
- A letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, how long you have been employed, any authorized vacation, and the business purpose, if any, of your U.S. trip.
- Criminal/court records pertaining to any arrest or conviction anywhere, even if you completed your sentence or were later pardoned.

Visa Process To The U.S: Common Non-Immigrant Visas
- Business visa
- Tourist visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Exchange/visitor visa
- Transit /ship crew visa
- Domestic employee visa
- Journalist and media visa
Students
- Your latest school results, transcripts and degrees/diplomas.
- Evidence of financial support such as monthly bank statements, fixed deposit slips, or other evidence.
Working adults
- An employment letter from your employer and pay slips from the most recent three months.
Businessmen and company directors
- Evidence of your position in the company and remuneration.
Visiting a relative
- Photocopies of your relative’s proof of status (e.g. Green Card, naturalization certificate, valid visa, etc).
Previous visitors to the U.S.
- If you were previously in the United States, any documents attesting to your immigration or visa status.

Seeking Medical Care
- A medical diagnosis from a local physician explaining the nature of your ailment and the reason you require treatment in the United States.
- A letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States expressing a willingness to treat this specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
- If someone other than yourself is paying for your medical care in the U.S., a statement of financial responsibility from the individuals or organization paying for your transportation, medical and living expenses. The individuals guaranteeing payment of these expenses must provide proof of their ability to do so, often in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns.
Work visa requirements
- Evidence that establishes your job qualifications, including any university diplomas.
- Original letters from current and previous employers detailing your position and projects you worked on and how long you worked with your employers.
- pay slips from your current or most recent place of employment
- the names and current phone numbers of the personnel managers at your present and previous places of employment
- your resume or CV
Additional requirements for Tourist visa
- A complete and detailed travel itinerary.
Visa Process To The U.S: Visa Fees
Visa Type | Description | Fee Amount (USD) | Fee Amount (NGN) |
B | Business/Tourist | $160 | 59200.00 |
C-1 | Transit | $160 | 59200.00 |
D | Ship/Airline Crew | $160 | 59200.00 |
E | Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty | $205 | 75850.00 |
F | Student (academic) | $160 | 59200.00 |
H | Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees | $190 | 70300.00 |
I | Journalist and Media | $160 | 59200.00 |
J | Exchange Visitor | $160 | 59200.00 |
K | Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen | $265 | 98050.00 |
L | Intracompany Transferees | $190 | 70300.00 |
M | Student (vocational) | $160 | 59200.00 |
O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability | $190 | 70300.00 |
P | Athletes. Artists & Entertainers | $190 | 70300.00 |
Q | International Cultural Exchange | $190 | 70300.00 |
R | Religious Worker | $190 | 70300.00 |
T | Victim of Human Trafficking | $160 | 59200.00 |
TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals | $160 | 59200.00 |
U | Victim of Criminal Activity | $160 | 59200.00 |

Where to Apply (in person)
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria (Lagos)
Address: 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos
Hours;
Monday 7am–4pm
Tuesday 7am–4pm
Wednesday 7am–4pm
Thursday 7am–4pm
Friday 7am–1pm
Phone: 01 460 3400
U.S. Embassy (Abuja)
Address:Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja
Nigeria
Telephone: (234)-9-461-4000
Email: Consularabuja@state.gov
Visa collection
Once your visa is approved, the VFS document collection office will hold your passport for you at the address that you specified when you scheduled your appointment.
- Your passport can be collected only at the address you specified when you scheduled your visa interview. There are no extra fees associated with this service. The cost for the VFS document collection office to hold your visa and passport is included in the visa application fee.
- To collect your passport from VFS document collection office, you must present your original (not a photocopy) government-issued photo ID.
Important things to note before filling the Ds160 visa form
Every applicant must complete the DS-160 form to apply for a U.S. Non-immigrant visa. U.S. Embassy Abuja Consular officers Heather and Kelly discussed common mistakes applicants make when completing the DS-160 form during a recent Facebook chat. They also stressed the importance of answering questions accurately and truthfully. These issues and their advice to reduce common errors follow.
Names
The applicant must ensure he/she lists their current legal name exactly as it appears on his/her international passport. Under “Other names used”, applicants must write any other name they have previously used, even if un-official. This includes names misspelled on passports.
Travel Section
For the field that asks about the intended length of stay, applicants should provide a precise time estimate. If the length of stay changes prior to the interview date, inform the Embassy’s Consular Section.
Address
List the exact address of your intended accommodation during your stay in the United States, especially if you plan to stay with relatives. For example, don’t write “New York, New York,” if in fact, you plan to stay in (the borough of) Brooklyn, New York. If your travel dates are still several months away and you don’t yet know where you will stay, simply indicate the city. The key point is to provide accurate information.
Travel Companions
Don’t just list those who require U.S. visas on the form. Indicate everyone with whom you are traveling, even if they are U.S. citizens and/or already have a U.S. visa(s).
Previous U.S. Travel
Applicants should provide information on their last five (or fewer) visits to the United States, whether in transit for twenty-four hours or less or a longer visit even if several years ago. Be sure to list up to your last five visits via the drop-down menu on the DS-160 form.
YES/NO questions
Be truthful and forthright. If you previously held a driver’s license in any U.S. state you must note it. If you were previously refused a U.S. visa note that as well. If you have family in the United States who are in the process of immigrating, you need to indicate that. Avoid describing your employment status, education or income as greater than it actually is. Always indicate any changes in your marital status such as separation or divorce.
Preparation and Submission Section
There’s a question about any assistance you might have received in filling out the form. The vast majority of people answer “no”, which is not always true. If you received any assistance in filling out the form select “Yes” and identify the person(s) who helped you.