Recently, the United States of America has made lots of changes to its immigration policies, things are tighter now than before.
To get a US visa now is hard, especially for Africans, Nigeria in particular. You must submit everything that is required for the particular visa you are applying for.
Nothing is left out anymore. Before, you could have a minor issue and still get a visa but now, a simple mistake is enough to deny you a visa.
If you want to apply for a US visa from Nigeria, make sure you include the following requirements.
List of the requirements for US visa application in Nigeria
While each visa type (like visitor visa, student visa, work visa, business visa etc.) has its specific requirements, you will generally need:
1. A Valid International Passport
This is the first and most important requirement. You must have a Nigerian passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the United States.
Example: If you want to visit the U.S. in August and plan to stay until November, your passport must be valid until at least May of the next year.
It is on your passport that your visa will be stamped. Renew your passport if it is close to expiring before you apply for the visa.
In addition, make sure your passport is in good condition – no torn pages or heavy damage. A damaged passport can cause visa denial.
2. Completed DS-160 Form
The DS-160 is the online form where you fill in all your information, travel plans, and background information.
Think of the DS-160 as your formal introduction to the U.S. embassy. It shows who you are, why you want to visit, and if you meet the criteria.
When you complete the form, you’ll receive a DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode. Print and keep it safe because you will need it for your visa interview.
When filling out the form, please, check every question very well before you answer. Remember, once you submit it, you cannot edit the form again.
3. Visa Application Fee Payment (MRV Fee)
If your visa involves an interview, you must pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee before you book your visa interview.
As of now, the fee costs about $185 for a tourist visa (B1/B2), but it can change.
You can pay through a Bank in Nigeria or online. After payment, you’ll get a receipt.
When you pay, keep your payment receipt safe. No receipt means no interview booking.
The MRV fee is non-refundable, so make sure you are fully ready before paying.
4. Visa interview Appointment Confirmation letter
After paying the visa fee, you must book your appointment and print the appointment confirmation letter.
You need this letter to enter the U.S. embassy for your interview. Without it, they won’t let you in for the interview.
If you miss your appointment, you can be asked to pay the fee again and reschedule.
5. Passport Photograph
You must upload and bring a recent passport photograph that meets U.S. visa photo requirements.
The passport should bear a white background, no glasses, a neutral face, and 2×2 inches in size (51×51 mm).
When coming for your interview, carry extra copies of your passport.
Check your photo’s validity. The U.S. embassy usually accepts only photos taken within the last six months.
6. Proof of Strong Ties to Nigeria
You must show that you have reasons to return to Nigeria after visiting the U.S.
Examples: Your employment letter, business registration, school admission letter, family ties (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children).
If you are a young graduate applying for a tourist visa, you can show an employment letter from your company stating that you are on leave and will return to work.
The stronger your ties, the better your chances of getting approved.
Try to bring original documents along with photocopies for easy verification.
7. Proof of Funds
You need to show that you can financially support yourself during your stay.
For example: You can present your bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months, proof of salary, business income, or a ponsorship letter if someone else is sponsoring you.
If your uncle in the U.S. is sponsoring you, he must send a sponsorship letter and his bank statements too.
Make sure that your bank statements show consistent income, not just a sudden big deposit.
Be honest about your financial situation because the embassy will verify the information.
8. Invitation Letter (Optional, Depending on Visa Type)
If you are visiting family or attending a conference, you will need an invitation letter from the person or organization inviting you.
Example: If you are attending a wedding in New York, your cousin can write an invitation letter stating all the details about the event, your relationship, and the event date.
An invitation letter is not a guarantee for visa approval, but it supports your application.
If it’s from a company, the letter should be printed on the company’s official letterhead with their contact information.
9. Travel Itinerary
You need to show your planned travel schedule, like your flight reservations (no need to buy tickets yet), hotel bookings, or a letter from the event you are attending.
If you are a businessman attending a conference in Houston, you can show a letter from the conference organizers with the dates and venue.
It’s better to show “reservations” rather than actual paid tickets to avoid losses if your visa is denied.
Make sure your travel plans match the purpose and duration you stated in your DS-160 form.
10. Previous U.S. Visas (If Any)
If you have visited the U.S. before, bring copies of your old visas or the passports that contain them.
For example, if you travelled to the U.S. before, bring that old passport with the visa sticker even if it’s expired now.
It shows a good travel history and will strengthen your case.
If you have visited other countries like the UK, Canada, or Schengen countries, you can also mention them to show a strong travel history.
11. Additional Documents (Depending on Visa Type)
Depending on why you are visiting, you will need extra documents.
- Student Visa (F1): Admission letter from U.S. school, SEVIS fee receipt, I-20 form.
- Work Visa (H1B): Job offer letter, petition approval (I-797 form).
- Business Visa: Business registration documents, a letter from your company authorizing the travel.
Before you start listing what you need, check the requirements for the particular visa you are applying for.
Organize these documents in a neat file so you can find and present them quickly during the interview.
12. Attend the Visa Interview
Finally, if an interview is required for your visa, you must attend your visa interview at the U.S. embassy in Abuja or the U.S. consulate in Lagos.
On the day of the interview, make sure you arrive early, dress smartly, be honest in your answers, and stay calm.
During the interview, you can be asked questions like: “Why are you travelling to the U.S.?” or “How will you fund your trip?” Answer all the questions very well.
Practice common interview questions ahead of time. Short, direct answers are usually better than long explanations.
Applying for a U.S. visa from Nigeria is like preparing for a major exam – you must gather all the right documents, fill out the forms correctly, and prepare for your visa interview if it is required for your visa.
The better prepared you are, the higher your chances of getting the visa.