Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas entitle the recipient to permanent resident status in the United States. "Green Card" holders may live and work there, and eventually become naturalized if they so desire.

Most immigration petitions are initiated by a close relative or an employer in the United States. The petition is filed with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. All final interviews and approvals are done at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. After initial approval, applicants will be notified by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos about documentation requirements and how to schedule the final interview. Required medical examinations for immigrant visas are conducted only in Lagos and only by doctors certified by the U.S. Consulate there.

Certain categories of immigrant visas are numerically controlled. This may necessitate a waiting period before the application can be further processed. Petitioners should anticipate a delay of up to approximately six months to complete the procedure and be scheduled for a final interview.

Visa inquiries may be made in person at the Consulate any business day except Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. The fee for an immigrant visa is $ 335.00 payable in cash. In addition, there is a $ 45.00 security surcharge. We do not accept checks or credit cards.

Types of Immigrant Visas

• Adoptions
• Fiancée
• Family member to follow
• Diversity Visa Lottery (important information for Nigerians with scheduled DV appointments)

Visa Inquiries

Lagos: (234)-1-261-5697/5699
Abuja: (234)-9-523-0916/0960/5857/2235

or by

Lagos e-mail: lagoscons2@state.gov
Abuja e-mail: Consularabuja@state.gov