THE United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria has announced updates to its immigration visa process, effective January 1, 2025.
Applicants with scheduled interviews will now be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice as part of the application process.
The embassy posted on its official X page: “For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, you must visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process.”
This new procedure is intended to aid applicants in preparing for their visa interviews and to prevent significant delays in processing their immigrant visas.
According to information on the embassy’s website, the first visit will involve an “In-Person Document Review” with a consular staff member.
The embassy explained that this review ensures applicants are adequately prepared for their visa interviews and allows them to gather any missing documents prior to their interviews, thereby helping to avoid delays in processing.
The second visit will be for the visa interview itself, which will be conducted by a Consular Officer and scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).
The embassy also stated, “If you do not complete the In-Person Document Review before your visa interview, you will need to reschedule your appointment.”
These changes are designed to improve efficiency and reduce delays caused by incomplete documentation.
Additionally, the embassy previously announced a transition to a new visa services provider for its Abuja and Lagos consulates, effective August 26, 2024.
