The United States has announced a new two-step process for immigrant visa applications by Nigerians, set to commence on January 1, 2025.
Under the updated procedure, applicants must visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice: first for an In-Person Document Review and then for their visa interview.
This new requirement applies to applicants with interview dates scheduled on or after the effective date.
The announcement, made via the US Embassy’s official X handle on Tuesday, seeks to enhance applicants’ preparedness for interviews and reduce processing delays.
According to the embassy, the initial visit will involve a document review with consular staff to verify the completeness of required documents. This step is designed to prevent delays due to missing paperwork.
“Your first visit to the US Consulate in Lagos is for an In-Person Document Review with a consular staff member to ensure you are prepared for your visa interview,” the embassy stated.
“This mandatory review will give you an opportunity to retrieve any missing documents ahead of your visa interview.”
Applicants do not need to schedule an appointment for this first step, as the Consular Section will notify them via email approximately two to four weeks before their visa interview date.
The second visit will be the formal visa interview, as scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).
However, applicants who fail to complete the document review beforehand will need to reschedule their interview.
The embassy encouraged applicants to follow the revised steps to ensure a smoother visa application process.
